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Sweet Dreams 💤
I’ve wanted to write something about my dreams for some time
now, but was always afraid you’d think I was loopy. Well, maybe I am, because
here goes: a few words about my dreams, but not all of my dreams, just the
ones involving people who are no longer with us. I’ve had a lot of dreams
about people who are still walking the earth, but I’d like to share my dreams
of friends and family who have passed away.
The first time it happened, it was surprising. But each time
after that, it was a very welcoming and comforting experience.
I checked with my psychiatrist, Dr. Google, and he said, among
other things, “Dreaming about someone who passed away can be intense and
chilling. For many of us, the dreams are extremely vivid, and the person
you’re dreaming about seems very much alive. These dreams can be joyful, but
also scary or disturbing. Whatever your experience, you should know that
dreaming about someone you lost is actually super common.”
Well, thank you, doctor, that makes me feel better. I thought I
was the only one. Maybe you’ve had the same experience?
Psychologist Sigmund Freud said our dreams reflected our
unconscious conflicts, and psychologist Carl Jung chalked it up to our
unconscious feelings and desires. But all of that is a little too heavy for a
Sunday morning read, so why don’t I just share with you some of the people
and situations that have popped up in my dreams and have had such a profound
effect on me that I wrote down the number of times this has occurred. I’m
sure any amateur psychologists who read this will have a field day.
First up in my parade of those who have passed was my Dad.
That’s pretty normal, I would think? It wasn’t right after his passing, but
years later. When he appeared in the dream, he didn’t say anything, just
looked at me through a window and smiled, then turned and walked away. (He
always was a man of few words.) Needless to say, I was shocked and surprised
because it was very vivid. When I woke up and remembered this meeting, I
kicked myself for not trying to strike up a conversation! It was the first of
many appearances by Dad, and in subsequent dreams, I did try to ask
questions, but didn’t get any answers.
On my guest list, Dad shows up ten times and Mother, seven
times. Paul McCartney’s mother came to him in a dream, and the result was the
hit song, “Let It Be.” Paul’s mother died when he was 14. Paul says, “When
someone you have lost comes back to you in a dream, it’s a miraculous moment,
because you’re with them.” In the dream, Mother Mary told him everything
would be okay.
My list also includes Canada’s Greatest Athlete, Gene Kiniski.
Gene makes half a dozen appearances, which is not surprising, as Gene became
something of a father figure after my dad’s passing.
Fred Latremouille, the big brother I never had, has said hello
eleven times, once as a helicopter pilot. Fred did at one time have his
pilot’s licence, but not for a helicopter. I was with Fred the day before he
died, and in my last visit in dreamland, he was a young Freddie, with a big
smile on his face, which was somehow very comforting.
My good friend Rick Honey, whom I worked with at CKNW has paid
me a visit three times, which actually ties the number of times that Queen
Elizabeth is featured. She was first with sports guy John McKeachie, but also
with a room full of BCTV people! And she was very happy to see them all. Go
figure that one out!
And there are more on the list. Golfer, Arnold Palmer,
weatherman and producer, Phil Reimer, journalist and news anchor, Doriana
Temolo, drummer for the rock group Prism, Rocket Norton, legendary
rock-and-roll DJ, Red Robinson, and a dozen more!
But the record holder for the number of visits to my dream world
is Deb Hope. Deb has dropped by no fewer than fourteen times. No need to dig
too deep into dream interpretation here. We worked together for years, and
she and her husband, Roger, were friends. She had such a wonderful
personality and was such a joy to be around. It’s heartwarming every time she
shows up in one of my nighttime productions! She’s always there with a smile
and her infectious, wonderful laugh. In one episode, Deb, Roger, and I went
to a baseball game at Nat Bailey Stadium, and the field was covered in snow.
Naturally, she laughed, and we laughed!
My old friend Glen Hunter has been a frequent visitor, too. We
had a few adventures together, which probably accounts for the fact that he
shows up nine times, sometimes with a group of people and other times just by
himself. Once, he was riding in the bucket of a fire engine, which makes
sense because he was a retired Vancouver Firefighter. Another time, he was
across the street walking his dog. He stopped, smiled and waved. I smiled and
waved back. I took it as a sign that everything was okay.
Is there anything to this? Is it all just a dream? A very good
dream? I find it comforting that family, friends and co-workers, who have
left this mortal coil, come back to pay a visit.
Even if it’s just to smile, wave, and say hello.
Till next week…
Wayne
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