Dream Journal

Every now and then, as you may know if you've read my blog for a while, I have a dream that is worthy of writing about. The ones I write down are ones that stand out to me. Ones that I just can't shake. Ones that replay in my mind all day - for several days. This one was on Sunday night.

It was a beautiful, summer day, and I was standing on the bank of a calm river with my mom and a few other people - I call them dream people, people I don't know in real life but people who I knew in my dream. We were all ready to take off for a relaxing float trip. Our life jackets were secured, our smiles and laughter accompanied us as we began our journey for the day.

We paddled on down the river, taking in all the scenery, enjoying the time together. I distinctly remember thinking how green the trees looked and how pretty the water gleamed from the sun dancing off of the ripples in the water.

I noticed the river had a bend in it, and I remember thinking how difficult it is to make a smooth turn when it bends like that. We couldn't see on the other side of the bend, and for some reason, that made me upset. I didn't like it that I couldn't see where I was going.

Suddenly, as we made the turn, the water abruptly changed from calm to raging. Instead of a peaceful float trip, we were now in what I can only describe as advanced white water rafting! No one was prepared for it, and no one knew what to do. I felt myself become filled with anxiety, wondering how we would make it through this considering we had no idea how to handle it.

At some point, I remember not being able to hear my mom's voice anymore. Eventually, as I tried to steer the course, I was the only one who remained in the raft.

And then I approached a huge drop off. I could not keep from falling. The water kept me going, and I couldn't direct away from it.

So I fell. With the water.

And my dream faded to black.

When I came to, I saw that I was inside a huge cave at the bottom of a waterfall. I looked around realized I was alone. I did not want to be alone, and then, all of a sudden, I saw what I believe was my dad walking along side of me. "I'll stay with ya! You might want to look around down here."

Strangely - very strangely - what I found myself looking at was a memorial for those who had tried to make the same trip I had. I saw flowers, crosses, pictures, letters, balloons, all kinds of things that indicated that many had not made it through what I had just endured. Then I was brought to my knees as I saw a picture of a small child who had not made it. A candle was lit and flickered enough for me to see his face. I had tears and told my dad I didn't want to stay down there anymore. He pointed me towards a long staircase...

...and I woke up.