DANCE in the RAIN

It's been a little over 5 years since my grandpa, Pops, went to be with Jesus. I miss him all the time and he is always in my heart and my thoughts. But last night, he came to see me in my dreams. It's been a while since his last visit, so this dream came as a shock to me.  I woke up this morning crying (since I cry about everything).

Pops passed away when I was 16. He was fairly young: had just turned 70.  The past 5 1/2 years have been some of the most challenging of all for me, and he hasn't been here to help me out.  It saddens me, but at the same time, when I have these kind of dreams (which happen too few and far between), I am reminded that he IS here, just in a different form.

Last night, I dreamt that my family was having a big get together at my house (for a change). Everyone was getting the food ready and talking and laughing. At one point, it fell very quiet.  Someone, not really sure who, said "I wish Pops were here with us right now", and of course everyone in unison said "Yea, me too". 

Nona, my grandma, went outside to get something in her car. It was raining pretty hard outside, so she took her umbrella.  She was gone for a good while, but when she came back inside, she was laughing.  I asked her, "Nona, what's so funny?" She looked up at me with a smile and said "Look outside, Lia." 

I looked and saw my silly Pops dancing outside with a big smile on his face, no umbrella, no rain jacket, no music.  He looked up and winked at me and motioned for me to come outside with him. So, I obeyed.  I left my umbrella inside. 

We danced in the rain together as he sang one of his favorite songs (I can't remember which one it was now), laughing and carryin on.  At the end of our dance, he gave me a hug, kissed my hand and simply smiled. And then I woke up, crying.  You see, it's dreams like this that make me miss him so much.  I realize now he was sending me a message. Maybe that he's enjoying seeing me happy these days (because I'm the happiest I've been in a while). Or, maybe he's agreeing with Nona's favorite quote "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Though I am happy, I still have my confusing, trying times.  It's in those times I wish he was here the most, so he could crack a joke or two, or just give me one of his awesome hugs.  But now I know that he really is here, and he just wants me to dance. In the rain. With no umbrella =)