The relationship I had with my father was a complex one, and I always had a feeling of dissatisfaction, as though I was being kept from truly getting to know him as a person, rather than just as an authority figure. When he died in 2004, he began visiting me in my dreams, and I began feeling as though I was getting to know him better after death than I had in life.
One night, I dreamt that I was sleeping in a friend's apartment when I was awakened by the distinctive sound of my dad playing jazz piano. "That's my dad!" I exclaimed as I jumped up and ran to see him. I knew he had died and that this was a rare opportunity.
Dad stood by the piano as I ran into the room, wearing his normal uniform of the white "wife beater" t-shirt, Bermuda shorts, executive knee-high socks and sandals.
"Dad! Dad! It's me! Lori!" I exclaimed.
I could see by the confused look in his nearly 80-year old eyes that he wasn't sure he knew me. Thinking that he had been away for a while in his ethereal abode, I patiently explained who I was -- his daughter -- and telling him about his life here on earth.
As I spoke, his eyes began showing recognition. He began to recall who he had been here, and who I was to him.
My dad just after joining the Army at around 17 or 18 years old.
Then I noticed that he was getting younger and younger. We began to speak of many things. His eyes became vibrant and excited, and he spoke with passion.
Realizing the uniqueness of this opportunity, I said, "Ok, Dad, tell me how this works. I've been told that we reincarnate after we die. Some people believe in Heaven and Hell. What is the deal? What really happens? How does it really work?"
"You want to know how it really works?" he asked. "Ok, I will tell you."
The next thing I remember was gasping and saying, "You are KIDDING me!!! That's how it works???!!!" I was filled with amazement and a feeling of incredulousness, but had no recollection of what had just occurred.
At this point, Dad now looked as he did at around 15 or 16 years of age, yet he was still completely himself with all of his knowledge and personality. Then, to my surprise, he turned into a completely different 15 year old. Someone else, but still with my father's mind and personality intact.
"I have to go now, " he said with a wistful smile. "but thank you for being my daughter."
"Thank YOU for being my father!" I cried, adding, "I wish I had gotten to know you better."
"No," he said, "Everything was just as it was supposed to be." And with that, I woke up.
Intriguing and frustrating that you were denied the memory! Were there any other thoughts or emotions attached to your memory of amazement, such as 'I never realised that was possible', or 'that is such a relief', or 'that's different from what I was taught', or 'I never thought of that before', or 'no-one would believe that if I told them', etc.? I know that Lyn says heaven, hell and reincarnation are all options and not mutually exclusive. Did you get a sense that this was close to the truth or different from your now forgotten experience?
Hi Martin,
I definitely remember thinking, "You are KIDDING ME!!! No way! That is AMAZING!" My reaction was one of awe and amazement.
Do you remember what Dad told you about how it worked?
Don, that slice of information was removed from my memory! Even hypnosis can't retrieve it! So I assume it is something I will have to die to discover the answer to!
It's interesting how we perceive our parents as we get older. Our perspective on live becomes closer to our parents as it becomes almost alien to ourselves as a child.
I love reading stories about how much joy was felt in dreams about their parents, it's not something I've ever felt. They carried me into this world, but I was never connected to them. I've had closer relationships which people I've hardly spent any time with.
However, I know with absolute certainty that I was not destined to know him, or my mother. But my relationship with them was exactly what I needed and it became easy to get through the tough times with them knowing it was how it needed to be. Our parents have paid towards a Karmic debt in bringing us here, and they will move to the next phase, whatever it may be.
Thanks for sharing, loved reading it.
When I dream of my father, he's always silent, we were raised in the era, be seen, not heard, I think he's giving permissiin for his children to speak...lol
Like, WOW! How lucky to have had that experience!