I dreamed about Michael

April 11, 2016 | My Jottings

Ever since Michael died fourteen months ago, I’m been anxious to dream about him. I have had three or four dreams with him in them, and they’ve always been sort of fleeting and odd, rather than something I can try to remember forever.

CPMichaelphoto (1)A couple of nights ago, I had a short, vivid dream about Michael and I want to get it down in print before it fades. You know how dreams do that… sometimes I wish they didn’t.

In my dream I was walking down 58th Avenue East in the Lester Park neighborhood of Duluth, MN. I was walking on the sidewalk on the left side of the street, heading toward Lake Superior, which was less than a block away.

This area isn’t far from the neighborhood Michael and I lived in with three of our daughters for almost 25 years, so I recognized it right away in my dream.

It was summer I think, because there was green grass on people’s yards and on the boulevard by the sidewalk. I was walking at a moseying pace, looking down at my shoes, which were a light brown suede, like nothing I own at all. They looked a little like this, except they were shiny from being worn a lot.

As I got closer to London Road, which is right on the edge of Lake Superior, I heard two male voices behind me, going the same direction I was, and I could tell they were walking at a livelier pace than I.

I stepped to the right to allow them to pass, and looked over my left shoulder as they drew near. One man was a person who used to attend the same church many years ago, named Peter Niss. The other man was my husband Michael.

I dug out this photo of him, because this is about how Michael looked in my dream; in his late thirties, curly brown hair with hardly any gray yet, a bit of a beard. And strong and vigorous and always in motion.

I gasped and cried out desperately as he and I made eye contact, “Michael!!!” And he looked at me as he passed with his two-sets-of-teeth grin that I loved so much, and then I asked breathlessly, “Are you okay?” He nodded and said emphatically, still smiling, “Oh yeah!” Like, If only you could know how okay I am…

In my dream I knew this was some kind of visitation, that his presence was unusual and I was not to touch him. Neither one of us moved toward each other as he passed and he didn’t slow his steps.

I asked him three or four questions as he and Peter (who doesn’t figure into this dream aside from walking with Michael) strode along, and I can’t remember all of them. I can only recall the last thing I asked him before my dream ended. Michael was about 15-20 feet ahead of me now and I was crying, from joy and sorrow both, and I called out as I sobbed, “Michael!!! Can you see us?”

And he again nodded his head and responded cheerily, “Yes!”

And then I woke up.

I have told a couple of people about my dream and each time, I’ve wept. I’m wiping tears as I type this now.

I’ve often wondered if the people who’ve gone on to heaven before us can see our goings on, and if so, how much God permits them to witness here on earth. Hebrews 12:1-2 says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I’m grateful for this dream, even if the source of it was my longing heart rather than from God Himself. It felt like a gift.

It was so wonderful to see Michael again!

Comments

  1. Carolyn says:

    πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

  2. Just Julie says:

    Yes, his smile, my smile, all of our smiles… xoxo

  3. Pat says:

    Oh Julie, that was beautiful! I’m so glad you had such a symbolic dream about Michael. And he’s right in the age of his prime. How comforting it all is…

  4. Just Julie says:

    It was very comforting Pat. Thank you. I think it would be wonderful for you to have a good dream about Jasper, frolicking around Jesus. xoxo

  5. Nancy says:

    What a wonderful dream. You are blessed. Truly a gift from your husband.

  6. Just Julie says:

    I do feel so blessed, Nancy. Have a good week! xoxo

  7. sue raimo says:

    Grateful tears ! Thank you for sharing this precious experience.

  8. Just Julie says:

    Thank you for shedding tears with me, dear friend. xoxo

  9. Valerie says:

    Wow! What a great dream. What a great gift. Was it really only your longings? I’m a believer that His gifts are all around us all the time. So very happy that you got to see your beloved Michael again.

  10. Just Julie says:

    Maybe it was the Lord’s gift in response to my longings, Valerie! πŸ™‚ God bless you… xoxo

  11. Ember says:

    Such an interesting dream! Reminds me of something my husband Bernard said in the last days of his life – that at his funeral he’d be sitting up on the rafters, watching us.

    :0) xx

  12. Just Julie says:

    I like that picture of Bernard, Ember. Oh, if we could see through that veil… xoxo

  13. kathy says:

    I read your post on the Agent Orange site. Vickie asked me to share this. I lost both parents in 2007, husband 2009, an son 2011. I’ve had only 1 dream with my son in it. Last night I had 2. The 1st had all 4 of my loves. I asked for help deciding what to do with my sons belongings in storage for his 3 kids. No answers just a calm that I finally saw them in a dream. We were in a kitchen our heart of our homes. Fell back to sleep and dreamt of my son Jesse. He was about 22 in the same white t-shirt he’d worn in the dream a year ago. He passed at age 37. I ran and hugged him. I yelled where have you been 2 or 3 times. Then told him I love you so much. He only smiled and I woke up. I felt my arms around my 6 ft. 6 in. son. Such relief and joy filled my body and mind, I’m so happy maybe reading your blog thru Vicki’s post allowed me this wonderful experience. I know our loved ones are around us and I know we will reunite in God’s time. Thank you for sharing.

  14. Just Julie says:

    Dearest Kathy. You have experienced so much grief and loss. I am so sorry. There are no words (as most of us realize) for such pain. And to have lost your big, vital son so early…I can’t imagine. I was so happy to read about your dream, Kathy. What a gift, and in the kitchen, as you said, makes it even more personal. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here and leave your story. I’ll be praying that God will give you strength, hope and joy. xoxo

  15. kathy says:

    Thank you Julie for your kind words. I wish much joy and love in your lifes journey. We know that one day we will be reunited with our loves. Dreams are wonderful for now. I’m new to this blogging thing, so happy yours is my first. Your background paper is much like mine would be and your from Calif. My grandkids are our 7th generation born and raised. Prayers of strength and love to you. xoxo

  16. Just Julie says:

    I agree with you Kathy — the dream I had about Michael was a wonderful “holdover” until I see him again. And so was yours. πŸ™‚ Seventh generation Californians! Wow. I am a first generation Californian — my parents moved from Missouri and I was the only one in my family born there. I was raised in the Covina area. I pray for your hope and joy today, Kathy! xoxo

  17. Steve says:

    Loved reading this Julie. Thanks.

    Mike loved Jesus so much, and loved to sing His praises. Only now, he knows all the lyrics rather than just a line or two. Remember, he’d sing the first line in tenor, then switch to bass, but only the first two lines. Ha!

    My dad and I went fishing in Mike’s boat on Memorial Day. It will always be “Mike’s boat”. Many fond memories of fishing with my buddy in that boat. Enjoy your eternal joy my friend. We will see you again.

  18. Steve says:

    Forgot to add this link:

    https://youtu.be/mPs-UucMsgs

  19. Just Julie says:

    Yes I remember his singing so well, Steve! Many times a day he sang loud and without embarrassment to the Lord. And other songs too, such as “What’s it all about, Alfie?” and “I could have danced all night.” Brings back very good memories to me. I’m glad you have his boat Steve, it’s just the right thing. Thank you for leaving your thoughts….I was blessed by them today. And that video! I treasure that. xoxoxo

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