DREAM CATCHER

The dictionary defines dream as

n 1: a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep; "I had a dream about you last night" [syn: dreaming] 2: a cherished desire; "his ambition is to own his own business" [syn: ambition, aspiration] 3: imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake; "he lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality" [syn: dreaming] 4: a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe); "I have this pipe dream about being emperor of the universe" [syn: pipe dream] 5: a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality; "he went about his work as if in a dream" 6: someone of something wonderful; "this dessert is a dream"

Some sleep time images can also be our desires, but in my dream life, certainly only rarely. If I know you well enough, I can tell you what "I think" your dreams mean. It only works if I know you well enough, so don't everyone send me their latest or reoccurring dreams. I have a dear sweet friend that I look to when I need a dream analyzed. Most of the time, she is right on the money. Most of my dreams are not that meaningful, and certainly not profound. I do occasionally have a dream that I consider a gift from God.

One such dream came not too long after Momma died. My relationship with Momma was not always smooth and she could be difficult to deal with during her years here. I always realized that she was a product of her upbringing, but that did not mean that at times she could literally drive me up a wall. During her final illness, I came to realize that God had given me those extra months to work through many of my feelings toward Momma. Those long weeks of caring for a totally incapacitated Momma taught me some very valuable lessons and "grew me up" in the true meaning of grace.

I dreamed that I was on bus with Momma and we were taking a trip. Where we were going and why did not seem to matter, only that we were taking a trip. I had all of Momma's possessions with us, including a family portrait of all of us-siblings and families. Momma was in a weakened state and obviously ill, so I had to take care of her and all of the possessions. It came time for us to get off the bus. As I helped Momma out of the bus door, she told me we had not gotten the picture and I needed to go back and get it. She was very insistent about the family picture and I headed back to get it, thinking the bus driver would wait for me to return. The bus driver took off as I started up the aisle holding the picture and would not stop or slow down. Momma was left and I could not get up the aisle quick enough with the picture to get off with her. The bus continued down the road with me struggling to get back to Momma to no avail. I awoke with this dream at the front of my thoughts. Most dreams quickly fade with the coming of the day, but this dream was a vivid and disturbing vision.

I called my dear friend early that day for her thoughts. In very brief order, she explained the dream with clarity and wisdom. The bus ride was Momma's final illness and the picture was just what you would think-our family. I helped Momma with the bus ride until it was time for her to depart from the bus-alone. Momma was insistent upon the family picture as a reminder to me of how important it was to take care of the family. I was being given a clear message that Momma's had bore that final trip well, with my help, and that I was left with her final gift - our family. What a wonderful explanation!

Do you dream? One of our small group members told us that he never dreams. Everyone quickly told him-you dream-you just are not remembering. Do you have reoccurring dreams? Mine mostly revolve around control issues-IMAGINE! What are you thoughts on dreams & how important are they in your life? Do you consider some dreams a gift? Tell me about your sleep time dreams.

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SATURDAY PRODUCT REVIEW

I take Glucosamine Chondroitin every day. IT REALLY DOES HELP! It will not work over night and you do not really feel the effects until you have tried it 2 to 3 months. I support my claim by the following article from The Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine

I am not just blowing in the wind-even the Mayo docs agree-but as with anything-you have to take it right for it to work!