A Visit from Pap

I awoke this morning to Jeremy snuggling me and telling me that I had been laughing in my sleep. I immediately got teary-eyed, because I'd been dreaming about my Pap. I had actually dreamed many crazy things last night, but the very last dream I had, (after having woken up and fallen back to sleep around about a quarter to seven), was that I was in Florida with my Gram, and my Pap was back. Just for one day. And it was silently understood that it was just for one day.

Gram got out the back of a black car to meet me, coming out behind her was my Pap! It was kind of like a silent movie, for the most part, as all the talking was more of a telepathic communication combined with visual facial expression, but there was complete understanding. He got out of the back seat of the car, looking much like he used to when I last saw him well, but so refreshed, clean, rejuvenated, and. . .happy. He was calm and happy, and aware of life in a whole sense. Like he'd been away somewhere where he'd learned all he'd ever wanted to know, and was now fulfilled and content with himself and everyone around him.

I looked at Gram, as if to say, "Can you believe this? Pap is standing here with us looking GREAT!", and Gram gave me a knowing look as if to say, "well, of course he is", and "this is temporary". I was thrilled to see Pap look so relaxed and at ease, and serene. He was smiling, a closed-mouth, peaceful smile. His eyes were smiling, more than anything else. He was wearing a light blue ball cap and a collared plaid short-sleeved shirt, a light cotton dress shirt. I'm not sure about his pants, but they were light blue, too, I think.

The middle part us a blur, but just to see Pap get around so easily, (he was so strong and healthy) brought me so much joy. He moved like he did when he was still playing Senior Softball. Agile, quick, able to help Grandma get around. He was there for her, too, I could tell. That's why he'd come. And I was simply the lucky sidekick. I was allowed to be there for this, and I was grateful for it. Because I knew his time was limited.

The last thing I remember is Gram and Pap and I were in a small room, and I was having to say goodbye. I stood up, (Pap is a tall man) and I got to HUG him. And I wasn't sad at all. And he was being funny, and I was laughing. And I can't remember exactly what I said to him, but I told him I would miss him, and that I was happy to have visited with him again. And then he was gone. And it was just me and Gram in the small room. And Gram wasn't sad at all, either. She was going about her daily chores, talking about Pap, rolling her eyes at his quirks, and his silly self, and just going about her day as usual. And this made me laugh, too. And then, I woke up.

So thanks, Pap. It's good to know you're all better now. Thanks for visiting with me. I'll see you on the flipside. Until then, please feel free to visit me anytime. . .as long as I am sleeping. (Otherwise you might just scare the crap out of me.) Love you.

Corny