The other night, around 3 a.m., I noticed a light was on downstairs as I stumbled to the bathroom. It was too bright to be coming from the Mama's bedroom when she leaves her door open. I went downstairs to find the corner lamp in the living room shining on Molly the Cat. She was in sleeping pose on the Mama's reading chair. As I went by Molly, she opened her eyes and gave me a turn-off-that-light-now! look. No doubt, the Mama had a dream about Molly.
In the morning, Mama told me about her dream. Molly had disappeared into a field far, far away from the house. The Mama couldn't see her because the grass was taller than Molly. She finally found her when she heard Molly calling out. The Mama woke up from her dream and immediately went to the living room to make sure that Molly was in the house.
The Mama has always had vivid dreams that cause her to wake up worrying. When I was a young thing living on my own in a big city far, far away, she would call me early in the morning after having a dream about me. One dream, I recall, was of two men hiding beneath my stairs to get into my apartment. When I assured her all was fine with me, she asked me why was I still in bed. Uhm, because it was just after 6 a.m.
The Mama used to dream frequently about men trying to get into her house. I can usually tell when she is having one of these violent dreams because she starts moving around and mumbling in her sleep. The nightmare ends when she screams herself awake. The dreams have decreased over the years that we have been living with her, thank goodness. I think these nightmares have to do with her living through World War II in the Philippines when the country was occupied by Japanese soldiers. Women, especially young women, had to be careful not to be seen.
A few weeks ago, she had another of these dreams, but this time, for once, it ended on a strong note. In her dream, she stood up to the harasser and told him to go away. And, when he came at her in attack mode, she hit him with a large, heavy stick. The Mama was very satisfied when she recounted her dream to me.
Your Mama definitely has these dreams because of the war. It reminds me of my mom who endured the war and after, the Russian invasion. When she was not well the dreams would feel more vivid. My mom also would dream about us and she always had to make sure we were OK. This stems from the horrors they faced. It made them strong but that is why they always needed an extra hug. My mom, when she was well and living here with me, would often do things for me also to help out...always thinking of her children. Funny how war can shape a human life in such ways.
ReplyDeleteYour Mama was brave and amazing, too, Birgit. Thanks for sharing some of your Mama with me. Thank goodness for our Mamas!
DeleteWay to go, Mama!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Mama would give you one of her smiles, Widders. :-)
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