Oh I very rarely have dreams, or even “visits“ from those who have recently passed away. A few, perhaps, but of folks I would’ve never thought of appearing in my dreams or “visiting.”

This morning, I fed the dogs, let them out to potty, and when they returned inside, I laid back down for what would turn into a two-hour nap, waking at 10:30 AM. Just before I woke, I had a brief dream that involved my mother. I don’t recall much except at the end of the dream, she grabbed her car keys and purse. I asked where she was going, and she said, “out to the cemetery.” Now, in our family we knew she always meant Forrestville Cemetery which is about seven miles northeast of Elwood, Indiana, and where most of her side of the family is buried.

And with that, the dream ended and I woke.

I opened the back door which leads out onto the deck to let the dogs out. I am mediately heard a familiar sound. I looked up into the tree above the deck and there was a female cardinal greeting me.

As the dogs scampered out into the snowy covered backyard, I stood listening to the cardinal. It was such a lovely greeting.