Attention, armchair psychologists!
Aug. 23rd, 2005 09:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjarvisI had a rather pleasant but odd dream a few nights ago.
I usually don't remember dreams in detail past the early morning. It's rare that I am aware that I'm dreaming while still in the dream itself. And I almost never dream about family members. This time, I had all three.
It began with a scene reminiscent of a 1940s romantic comedy movie: 1940s clothing styles, black & white imagery, orchestral score etc., but it was as though the movie was just wrapping up, heading to the credits. As I watched the male & female leads walk away from me, I turned and entered a room laid out for a wedding reception, the wedding itself still in progress in the chapel next door. At the bar was Ray Jarvis, my grandfather, as I might imagine him appearing in the 1940s. Grandpa died about 15 years ago at around 85 years of age. I hardly knew much about him: Dad's side of the family was always lousy at communication & conversation.
Anyway, Ray was at the bar, recognized me and waved me over. "Have a drink," he said cheerfully, handing me a glass of whiskey.
"I don't drink," I said.
"I know. Must have gotten that from your mother's side of the family. Go ahead, it's a dream... I promise not to tell anyone."
I paused, recognized that it was indeed a dream so I should be able to --poof!-- erase the glass of whiskey and replace it instantly with a glass of water. We toasted and had a sip.
Curiousity got the better of me. "So, what you are doing here, what being dead and all?"
"Your grandmother never let me out to the pub more than a couple of times in the 55 years we were married. She's busy right now, so this seemed like my chance. Besides, you and me never got to talk when I was around so this seemed as good an opportunity as any. I've been catching up on a lot of missed stuff lately and you're kinda sticking out in the crowd of grandkids & great-grandkids these days."
I raised my eyebrows at that one. "Sticking out? How so?"
"Well, I understand you're gay."
"Yeah. Came out around the time you died."
"Pity about the timing. I would have loved to have seen the look on your mother's face. I'm sure it was priceless." We both chuckled... yeah, it was a definite Kodak moment with Mom, but that's another story.
Ray put his drink down and looked directly into my eyes. "That Kent boy of yours seems a nice enough guy. You definitely picked better than a couple of your cousins. There's only one thing bothering me, I just can't figure it out..."
"Mmm?"
"Couldn't you have found a guy in Canada?"
I choked on my water. "Excuse me, old man: your wife came from England!"
"Yes, but I married up."
He laughed aloud at his own wit. I scowled a moment, --poof!-- erasing his whiskey and replacing it with water. To my surprise, Ray winked at me, looked at his glass and turned it back into whiskey again. "Nice try, kiddo... I'm sharing this dream too, ya know. But you learn quick... that's a good thing to have."
"OK, it's my turn," I said, trying to organize my thoughts. "Any advice or messages from the great beyond?"
"None you haven't already figured out. Or heard and ignored. That last one you definitely got from my side." He paused, mulled over the question a moment, and continued slowly: "Plan for your future. Count your change. Be careful of other people's feelings, whether they deserve it or not. Enjoy life. Always listen more than you talk. Number your punched cards." He paused again. "Oh, and pay some extra attention to your sister Terri. Something bad is coming up for her in about six months. I can't see yet what it is, but she'll need you more than anyone else. If I figure it out in time, I'll be in touch. Outside of that, can't think of much else to say."
We both finished our glasses and walked to the door together. We hugged each other, then he walked away from me along the sidewalk. I turned and walked the other way.
It was a rather pleasant dream, one that makes me wish I did believe in a hereafter. I'd like to think I would have gotten on well with my grandfather, and having the extra family blessing on Kent & me wouldn't hurt either.
I usually don't remember dreams in detail past the early morning. It's rare that I am aware that I'm dreaming while still in the dream itself. And I almost never dream about family members. This time, I had all three.
It began with a scene reminiscent of a 1940s romantic comedy movie: 1940s clothing styles, black & white imagery, orchestral score etc., but it was as though the movie was just wrapping up, heading to the credits. As I watched the male & female leads walk away from me, I turned and entered a room laid out for a wedding reception, the wedding itself still in progress in the chapel next door. At the bar was Ray Jarvis, my grandfather, as I might imagine him appearing in the 1940s. Grandpa died about 15 years ago at around 85 years of age. I hardly knew much about him: Dad's side of the family was always lousy at communication & conversation.
Anyway, Ray was at the bar, recognized me and waved me over. "Have a drink," he said cheerfully, handing me a glass of whiskey.
"I don't drink," I said.
"I know. Must have gotten that from your mother's side of the family. Go ahead, it's a dream... I promise not to tell anyone."
I paused, recognized that it was indeed a dream so I should be able to --poof!-- erase the glass of whiskey and replace it instantly with a glass of water. We toasted and had a sip.
Curiousity got the better of me. "So, what you are doing here, what being dead and all?"
"Your grandmother never let me out to the pub more than a couple of times in the 55 years we were married. She's busy right now, so this seemed like my chance. Besides, you and me never got to talk when I was around so this seemed as good an opportunity as any. I've been catching up on a lot of missed stuff lately and you're kinda sticking out in the crowd of grandkids & great-grandkids these days."
I raised my eyebrows at that one. "Sticking out? How so?"
"Well, I understand you're gay."
"Yeah. Came out around the time you died."
"Pity about the timing. I would have loved to have seen the look on your mother's face. I'm sure it was priceless." We both chuckled... yeah, it was a definite Kodak moment with Mom, but that's another story.
Ray put his drink down and looked directly into my eyes. "That Kent boy of yours seems a nice enough guy. You definitely picked better than a couple of your cousins. There's only one thing bothering me, I just can't figure it out..."
"Mmm?"
"Couldn't you have found a guy in Canada?"
I choked on my water. "Excuse me, old man: your wife came from England!"
"Yes, but I married up."
He laughed aloud at his own wit. I scowled a moment, --poof!-- erasing his whiskey and replacing it with water. To my surprise, Ray winked at me, looked at his glass and turned it back into whiskey again. "Nice try, kiddo... I'm sharing this dream too, ya know. But you learn quick... that's a good thing to have."
"OK, it's my turn," I said, trying to organize my thoughts. "Any advice or messages from the great beyond?"
"None you haven't already figured out. Or heard and ignored. That last one you definitely got from my side." He paused, mulled over the question a moment, and continued slowly: "Plan for your future. Count your change. Be careful of other people's feelings, whether they deserve it or not. Enjoy life. Always listen more than you talk. Number your punched cards." He paused again. "Oh, and pay some extra attention to your sister Terri. Something bad is coming up for her in about six months. I can't see yet what it is, but she'll need you more than anyone else. If I figure it out in time, I'll be in touch. Outside of that, can't think of much else to say."
We both finished our glasses and walked to the door together. We hugged each other, then he walked away from me along the sidewalk. I turned and walked the other way.
It was a rather pleasant dream, one that makes me wish I did believe in a hereafter. I'd like to think I would have gotten on well with my grandfather, and having the extra family blessing on Kent & me wouldn't hurt either.
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-24 04:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-24 12:43 pm (UTC)My money is on her still coming out as a lesbian eventually, so perhaps I'm projecting her possible coming out as her upcoming issue.