Day 32: Reminders

Sometimes my dad shows up in my dreams. Not very often, and I understand enough about dream interpretation to know that his presence has a deeper meaning than simply a visitation from my dad. But still, sometimes it is nice to see him. He died eight years ago.

The other night, I had a dream that was quite long and intense. In one scene, my dad was walking along a breakwater behind me. The walk was getting a little treacherous, and I turned around and told him that he couldn’t come with me. I told him I loved him, but he would have to stay. He couldn’t follow me any further.

The following day, my mother and I went out. I usually drive her car when I visit her. She started going through the glove compartment as we drove. She found three pairs of sunglasses that belonged to my dad, an old flashlight with a leaking battery, and a piece of paper filled out to purchase a lottery ticket. It was odd that, after all this time, she had never looked in there. We cleaned it out, and she wanted to go purchase the ticket at the convenience store he always went to.

We went to one of those country barn restaurants that sell gifts and baked goods in addition to serving a good, homey meal. As we were leaving, we saw a stack of Purity ginger snap cookies. My dad’s favourite. They are made in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the province where he was born. It is unusual to see them anywhere, let alone in a country shop run by a Dutch family. Of course, we bought them.

Reminders of my dad were everywhere this week, even in my sleep. Does it mean anything? Is there anything supernatural at work here? Does it matter? Isn’t that the most any of us can hope for? That those we loved will remember us when we are gone?