One Mother’s Day I had a dream about my mom. I don’t always remember my dreams and they don’t always mean anything. Usually, they’re just the subconscious processing the events of the day. But sometimes dreams do carry meaning.

I instantly knew this Mother’s Day dream meant something when I awoke. This dream about my mom was a gift I needed to unwrap by writing it down.

I couldn’t do anything else first.

So, I grabbed a pen and the closest piece of paper and wrote and wrote until the mystery was revealed.

Meaningful dreams carry mysteries to unwrap.

THE DREAM

As in many dreams, I was in a place I didn’t know with people I’d never met. I was talking with two children when I suddenly remembered it was Mother’s Day. It occurred to me I’d left my mom at home sleeping. I left without leaving a note or kissing her goodbye.

Why did I do that? It’s not like me to leave like that.

I brushed the self-disappointment aside and got up from where I was sitting. I had to go and call my mom on the phone. I had to make it right. I left the room, walked down a long hallway leading into another room filled with puppies. These puppies were only days old without their eyes opened yet.

These puppies looked familiar.

I scooted around the little squealing pups staying close to the wall until I got to the door in the corner on the left. Gently pushing two pups out of the way I exited the room. But another one I scooped up in my hand .

It was important I didn’t allow it to escape and I needed to protect it.

Outside it was beautiful and sunny. There was a lovely breeze. The vibrancy of the green grass captivated me. Carrying the squiggling puppy, I looked for a place to sit to call my mom. I found a rock in the grass. However, my phone wouldn’t auto dial her.

Why wasn’t it working? Why couldn’t I call?

The phone was strange. It wasn’t my iPhone or any other phone I’d ever seen. At least I still remembered her phone number. I’d had it all my life until I left home to get married. So, I punched the seven numbers in by hand. 7–7–1–5–0–9–6 She immediately picked up and said Hi — but used my old name* — how peculiar.

Somehow, I didn’t mind.

Immediately after she answered, a man I didn’t know came up to me intent on interrupting my phone call. But he left as soon as he knew who I was talking to.

Strange.

My mom and I chatted just a little more. It was awkward.

The awkwardness felt out of place. What did that mean?

Then as the puppy was trying to get away from me  …

— I woke up.

THE REACTION

Sorrow, joy and then gratitude filled my heart.

You see my mom had been dead for twenty-four years!

THE MEANING

When I was a child my parents raised Labrador Retrievers and the puppies were the only part I enjoyed.

The dream allowed me to taste that sweet enjoyment once again and protected the good memory.

Seven years before my mom died, I legally changed my first name. This was done following the suggestion of my mother — who wept when she heard the traumatic story of what I went through because of it. She never would have called me by that old name. I know this with absolute certainty because of something my mom did.

This dream showed me what I know in my heart to be true.

Two years before the name change my mother reached out. We didn’t get along very well. There were a lot of issues between us that created a giant wall making our relationship awkward — at best.

But, because she loved me, she asked me a question.

Do you want to be friends?

I did, and we built a bridge between our fractured souls and became very close.

The dream reminded me of how she changed our lives and how I can cherish her memory because of her courage.

Because of what we built I had the privilege to serve her as she battled cancer.

I was honored to be with her, holding her hand, singing Rock of Ages to her when she slipped into eternity.

I miss my mom.

But I savor the good and celebrate the gift of friendship she offered me.

I cherish this dream. It’s like I got a visit from heaven.

Happy Mother’s Day.

WHAT NOW:

• Share a mom story or dream in the comments.
• Subscribe to my site and get a gift here.

Here’s another mom story of mine — about my daughter and me.

Just Like That—In the Flesh and Never the Same (How something 10 years old can still carry the same emotion)

*in 1988 I legally changed my first name – here is the story.

Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

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