A Dream from This Morning
November 1, 2009
It was my birthday. Falling asleep at the day’s end, I felt the bed bend on the other side. My grandma, long since dead, seemed completely intact. Her cheeks pinched from a smile. “Eunji, look.” With chalk, she drew a large box across my plaster wall. She made lines in and out the square. The edges of the box sunk into the wall like a window. The lines thickened into bright green panels. I swear I even saw sunlight shine through the blinds with the wind nudging them gently apart.
Grandma said this was when she was the most happy. It was her classroom window in Ueno. The students and teachers hung emerald lines of birthday wishes along the frame. Though it was an arranged tradition for each student, it was still surprising. And comforting. The way they swayed back and forth during a time she felt alone…She pointed to the top of the window, something like calligraphy. I couldn’t tell if it was kanji or hanja. She sounded it out so slowly, I could repeat it now. Eunji, Happy Birthday.
I woke up devastated all the same.
Advertisement
Dreams can be many things, from an amassed collection of disjointed thoughts to the things we most deeply desire. From what I can tell your grandmother wished only happiness and joy for you, regardless of circumstances. These are the memories she left to the world, and left to you, so you can keep them by your side in times of need. Loss of loved ones is never easy(having underwent such things myself, it's something very close to my heart), but that grief should never overshadow all the wonderful things and emotions they bestowed upon us before their time had come. May the gifts your grandmother left behind help guide your way and reveal to you what you need to create a better world and a better life
grandma dreams….seen a lot !!!
my cousin taught me to enjoy using veggies in my dishes and i love veggies now. funny how our taste buds change huh?
Hey Asit,I've been getting a few e-mails about others dealing with their own 'grandma dreams.' It's a different and difficult process for each. Hopefully mine sheds the haunting bits of happiness that a loved one may leave.
it's been so long since ive seen my grandma so there aren't any recent memories i have of her. this made me realize that i must go visit her VERY soon so i can at least capture some more memories to hold for the rest of my life
hm…I know sometimes I do get such dreams and wakeup completely heavy…hmm…
These images are simple and wonderful. I really enjoy the refletive quality of your work!
I believe that our dreams are many things, those that are visual, real and meaningful I believe are the visits we need from those within our dreams. Write them down and many time when you go back later the purpose of the dream will reveal itself. Happy Dreams. I too am a dreamer.Best Regards,A.J.Johnsonhttp://writeandrewrite.blogspot.com
Glad to know you are writing from the heart
Beautiful writing–beautiful tribute.
I often wish my brother who has passed would visit me or some other relative, there is just something so special about grandmothers and clearly yours was very special, I love reading your writing, I have such difficulty with concentration I don't read books and I often think had my head not been so full of the past perhaps I would hear one of my relatives in a dream. You have definitely found your spirit! Thanks so much again for reading my poetry…xxxooo Angie
It's funny how we misinterpret a casual visitation.The people we love come for a brief visit – without a trace.They always return to us like a distant whisper -And their traces are imprinted upon the veil of our doubts.