Visitation

Dream: I sense that I’m visiting with a dear friend and suddenly realize she’s passed on but I’m still with her! Then I see her face on a cell phone nearby. She’s smiling and we continue to talk.

I was struck by the symbolism of the phone, a device used to communicate across distance. The dream seemed to suggest that although death may separate us physically, love and connection can still find a way to reach us.

Dreams like this are sometimes called visitation dreams, experiences in which a deceased loved one appears vividly present and the dream carries a sense of comfort, connection, and reassurance. Whether understood as an actual visit, a gift from the psyche, or something in between, these dreams often leave a lasting impression.

The day before this dream I had been quite ill, and I awoke feeling deeply comforted. What stayed with me most was the feeling that my friend was not far away at all, but right beside me.