A few days ago my daughter was driving her daughter (my pretty, precocious, learning-to-read 6-year-old granddaughter, that is) to ballet class, but the little girl suddenly shouted “STOP!” to her mom, pointing a finger up as if to the heavens.
My daughter put on the brakes, frantically asking, “What’s the matter?”
“We have to go to PaPa’s house,” S insisted in her 1st grade know-it-all tone.
“Why?” her mother asked, logically. It was 4:55 p.m., and ballet began at 5.
“Because he lives right here!” S replied in an exasperated tone.
To the right of the road a tall red sign stated:
Papa Gino’s.
Ergo, S saw the sign to her grandfather’s house.
The rest of the trip to the ballet studio, my daughter tried to explain that Papa Gino’s was a house of pizza, not the house where PaPa lived.
S hadn’t misread the sign, she’d just misinterpreted it.
(But how neat is it, that S thinks the world created a huge sign directing us all to her PaPa’s house?)
Which made me wonder, how often do I misconstrue signs?
Many of you know that our elder golden, Henry, died almost a year ago.
My guy and I grieved for this special family member who always had a smile for us, a hug, and even a kiss on the nose if we seemed to need it.
Many friends encouraged us to get a new puppy, since we obviously love animals, but I couldn’t fathom going through puppy training again, much less trying to replace the irreplaceable.
Then the doorbell rang last week in the middle of the night. I was sound asleep. With my eyes closed and while still softly snoring, I saw Henry (looking quite spry and years younger) waiting patiently outside the front door.
“Why’d he ring the doorbell?” I wondered, slowly standing up, sliding on my slippers, waking up as I walked with eyes half closed through the bedroom, the living room, on past the long hallway.
I stopped at the front door.
Wait.
Henry couldn’t have rung the doorbell.
Henry’s not alive.
(Never mind the fact that he certainly couldn’t reach the bell, ferheaven’sake.)
But did I turn around and go back to bed?
No, the dream was so real, the sign so strong that Henry was in fact waiting for me, that I opened the door.
No one was there.
Shaking my head at the absurdity of it all, I climbed back into bed, vowing to not tell anyone about my dreaming obsession.
Until the middle of last night.
Henry stood by my side of the bed, and I did what he always asked me to do, what I always wanted to do – I petted him from rear to ears. I felt his coarse thick fur between my fingers, and his muscles relaxed underneath my massage.
Then I woke up.
And watched my hand and arm moving up and down at the open side of my bed, fingers curling as if intertwined in a dog’s mane.
A sign…?
Or just the dreams of a middle-aged sleep-deprived imaginative dog-loving woman?
What do you think?
Perhaps I should ask my granddaughter.
I can relate.. lost my Dad 10 years ago.. months later I still woke up and reached for the phone to call him.
And speaking of dreams.. I was sound asleep earlier tonight, only to be awakened, I think by the thermostat being set too high… but was having a really vivid dream.. and even though I knew there was no way I could possibly capture, or articulate the feeling, or even convey a smidgen of the vividness in words.. especially tonight, I had to try…
https://sonsothunder.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/hurricane/
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I found your ‘hurricane’ dream VERY real. In fact, that tidal wave may be in one of my nightmares soon! I used to teach dream workshops (long ago, before I realized how dangerous it can be to interpret dreams) and there are definite reasons we have the dreams we do. I imagine you can figure out why you’re having hurricanes and tidal waves. :-0
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Wonderful post. Signs intrigue me too.
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I imagine there could be a neat blot post, just posting pictures of different ‘signs’ out and around us, yes?
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I love the story of Sophie reading the sign and thinking it showed the way to her PaPa’s! They are so literal at that age. But, the Henry dreams….I’m jealous! I want a Josie dream! We lost the doggie love of our lives 4 yrs ago when she was 14 1/2, but there are still days we call loudly for her (she became quite deaf in her old age) as we enter the house, “see” her curled up on the corner of the rug in the family room out of the corner of our eyes, leave a bite of meat from a dinner out to take home for her, feel a nudge from a loving nose…..she is still very much with us and, I suspect, will always be!
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I suspect Josie IS within you always, thus she shows up in the shadowy corners of your rooms many times. xo
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LUVVED this ! ..there;s novel in there too, sum’where, m’Lady, Pamela…
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Hmmm, a novel about signs that lead a character to another dimension, perhaps, where people and animals long gone return in happiness, . I like it!
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Another awesome, great blog dearest, beautiful Pam! And how real our dreams can seem sometimes. Henry is waiting to see you again someday and you will be together again one day. I know how hard it is after losing a precious furry member of your family. God bless you my dear friend!
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I know how you related to this post! Thinking of you and your furry friends, past, present, and future.
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Cute story about your granddaughter!
I believe in “angels” or the “presence” of our loved ones. Henry is still with you — that’s love.
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What a wonderful way you explain the presence of loved ones, who really are always around us. I agree. It’s the spirit of love.
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These psychic dreams happen. Still, your blog reminds me of a dog I knew named Nosey—so named because he always rang the doorbell when he wanted to come in.
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I’m smiling at Nosey and the way he acquired his name. We bought a little bell for our front doorknob that Henry could ring when he wanted to go out, but he preferred standing in front of us with longing in his eyes. 🙂
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I’m intrigued, not skeptical. I had to put a cat down many years ago. Gosh she was lovely. I used to feel her on my bed. I swear the weight of her on the mattress was real. A few years later, we moved. The oddest thing happened. Both my daughter and I saw that cat on the back deck of our new house having looked in through the patio deck doors. And then she was gone. ❤
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Seeeee?? I’m not crazy. Either that, or we all are. It helped that your daughter was there to back up your story. But there are so many ‘stories’ like that where love ones return in some way, human or animal. I like the way you describe our reactions – intrigued instead of skeptical.
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The universe is a big place and I believe hold many secrets. I try to be open to everything. 🙂 You too. 😀
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Could be it takes a while for the heart to heal . . . signs let us know it’s happening. 🙂
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Well, yes, signs show us what’s inside our heart, don’t they? I hope your blog is still up and active – I can’t get into it…
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I’m always a skeptic so my answer would be biased, but it’s wonderfully sweet to think it could be more than a slumber-induced sighting. 🙂
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Skepticism is a good normal reaction. I’m a skeptic too – but I still like thinking about the possibility that dreams may be a portal to…something more.
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Aww, this post made me both smile and cry a little too. I love her sign interpretation! I laughed about you still going to open the door to check – often when we wake up from vivid dreams, we half believe they are real for a bit and have to check it out!
It’s not about replacing Henry, it’s about giving another doggy the chance of living in a happy dog-loving home, and to give you some new doggy fun times; the memories you create with a new dog aren’t to replace the memories of Henry, but to add to them. If you can’t face puppy training, perhaps you could give a home to a slightly older rescue dog?
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We’ve thought about a rescue dog. Discussion is on-going! I don’t think I’m worried about erasing memories of Henry; I’m just not sure I want to create new ones yet. Weird, huh? :-0
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Beautiful!
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Maybe it’s time for YOU to get a pet? Hmmmm.
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I am a firm believer in intuition and limitless possibilities. The time when we are able to acknowledge that what we know is that we really know nothing at all is when our mind opens up to allow the seemingly impossible to occur.
Putting the metaphysical philosophy aside, you bring up a much more interesting (and concrete) aspect in your story – the innocent and open-minded eyes of youth. If we were all able to cast aside, if only for an instant, all the preconceived notions we have about the world, and look at things through the eyes of a child, I suspect we would see so many “signs” that we would have an entire other universe to explore 😉
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So true. Funny how we at times make fun of a child’s misconception, when in reality perhaps the child is seeing the way it REALLY is, and we’re too jaded to have their vision.
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How very literal youngsters can be Pamela. I wonder how easily your explanation went down.
Dreaming of Henry was magical, to be actually feeling his fur in your hand as you massage him. A visit to bring you some cheer maybe or a reminder to bring a new Henry into your lives?
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Perhaps. Or then again, maybe a fish? Some seem to have a fascinating relationship with theirs! 🙂 xoxoxoxhughughugxoxoxo
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Your granddaughter is at a wonderful age. Having taught first grade for 17 years the children would amaze me with their interpretation of things and thought processes. I loved it so much…… I only wish I had written down everything they came up with.
What a wonderful dream about Henry you got to spend some time with him.
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I didn’t know you were a 1st grade teacher. I have several friends who teach that grade, and we all have decided it’s the hardest grade (and maybe the most satisfying). I had plans to write all of my kids’ witticisms when they were young, and of course didn’t. Now I’m going to try to be better with the grandkiddies.
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I am not sure if you accept awards but I have nominated you for the Premio Dardos Award… or flowers if you prefer… https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/another-award-season-special-the-premio-dardos-award-or-flowers/ Have a lovely weekend.
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The purple bouquet is lovely, and adds so much color to the cold white snow scene out my writing window! THANK YOU for the nomination.
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Oh that sign – I could totally see how she misunderstood it! Life can be confusing… at any age, not just for kids.
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Trying to read the ‘signs’ in any language or any form, is a fascinating chore for all of us, as you say, at any age!
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Dreams some times drift over into reality. Or is it the other way around? You must still really miss Henry. Your granddaughter is adorable! And thanks for the recent visit and comment on my blog!
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I’ve missed visiting with you on your wonderful site, and will do so more often! How I love the name you give yourself!!
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Perhaps Henry is telling you that it’s ok to look for another puppy. He knows that you loved him, and in your so real dream he is giving you permission. I know that sounds out there, but one never knows. Isn’t it great when the little ones start to read.
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Well, I’m beginning to think that nothing is too ‘out there,’ you know?
🙂
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What a beautiful dream about Henry, to feel him there so real! I always say a house is not a home without a dog (although I do think it’s important to give yourself time to grieve). Your granddaughter is so sweet! Signs for her grandfather everywhere (Papa Johns, etc.). When I still lived in France, there would be signs in hardware store for “email” products which means enamel and it would make me smile. I imagined little emails sitting on the shelf.
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Perhaps we should start making up our own signs on our front lawns. Mine might be ‘reading grandmother here’ (which would either mean I’m reading a book, or I’m reading to one of my grandkids!). How about: ‘Dreamer.’ Boy, that would say a lot. You make an interesting point about a house not be a home without a dog. Hmmmm.
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Perhaps your subconscious s telling you it’s time to open the door (of your heart) to a new Henry, and your
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hands long to caress the fur of a new beloved dog. 🙂 I liked this post.
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Just finished reading your Wednesday post (hey, I’m a little behind the game). Getting my book list gathered since those creepy weather people are predicting another winter storm. You’re right, nothing like cuddling up with a special canine friend during a raging storm….
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we love our dogs.. Kindest Regards Harriet
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Henry could see you needed a little dog cuddle. Or maybe he needed one. A dog gets impatient waiting for a person to come home from work; just imagine how impatient Henry would be waiting for his person to pass from one life to the next.
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True. I’d prefer Henry visit me in this dimension (in my dreams), since I hope it will be a LONG time before I visit him!!
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Wow, I came to return the stop by. You seem to have a lot of friends dear woman. I am so very sorry to hear about your dog/child’s passing. And I’m with Vanessa-Jane on the need for a new one. Hope you feel as if you are not alone.
Love,
Shalagh
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Sooo many people understand the sadness of missing a pet who was a member of the family. On the other hand, so many of my readers enjoy the happiness of living with a furry friend. That’s a very cheery thought! Thanks for stopping by.
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Love this!
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Glad we found each other. 🙂
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Me too. 🙂
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We’ve had lots of dogs and loved every one of them, but we now have one of those “too special for words” dogs. She’s almost ten. Sometimes I feel sad when I think she’s heading into her senior years becaue we’re all so attached to her. I think your Henry dreams are his way of telling you it’s time to think about adopting a dog. It won’t be another Henry (you can’t replace a beloved animal), but I believe having a dog in the house makes it a home.
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I think you’re right, on all counts.
Now, I think I’ll go make some mac n cheese (oven baked). 🙂
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I love that your Henry came to visit you TWICE in one night. That is the coolest. Almost as cool as the sign story with your granddaughter and PaPa’s Pizza. By the way, I learned today that most people say, “I would like a slice of pizza” not “a piece of pizza” like we do. My daughter informed me that we were either too midwestern or behind the times. Anyway, as for misinterpretation, I am lately convinced that thoughts are wrong way more times than they are right! Hope you’re enjoying being back in winter wonder land.
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Ohhhhhhh, how wonderful to see your face and read your words here. I visited you over at your ‘home’ with the cactus plant flowers. Beautiful (mine bloomed once, and I’m still hoping for another take before I sacrifice them to the winter goddess).
I laugh at how our daughters laugh at us. Pshaw, like they know anything. You are neither behind the times nor ‘too miswestern.’ You just like your piece of pizza!
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Whether Henry came in a dream or from another dimension, I love that he visited you. And I think that novel idea of signs leading to another dimension sounds great 🙂
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What a gorgeous gorgeous post you wrote about ‘the soul of a dog.’ Here’s the link for anyone reading this: https://harvestinghecate.wordpress.com/
Yes, only hell would not invite a dog to enter. xo
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Thank you!
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OOH I like this post. I am very close to our pups and can only hope that they visit me when they go as well. We did put one pup down 3 years ago and it broke my heart – still does. I pray he is in doggy heaven and I hope to someday see him again.
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All of these comments from dog lovers make me realize that all of the main characters in my books should have a dog! Working on that (and on one in my own life…) Thanks for your wonderful blog on books. Just ordered two you recommended.
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Definitely a sign that he’s still with you, watching over you. He wanted you to let him in (first dream) and keep him close (second dream). His spirit is with you and he is reaching out to let you know in the most comforting way possible. Be glad for the gift!
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I’m embracing the gift – and waiting for Henry to come by again. Thank you!
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He will. 🙂
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