A few months ago, I had a dream. I don’t remember my dreams much anymore, so I’ve taken to writing them down. This was a particularly vivid one, so I wrote it right away. Here is what I wrote:
I dreamed I saw Buddy. We were in a pretty, shady park that was lined with hydrangeas, and Buddy was just sitting in front of me, staring at me. Which is what he used to do when he was alive, come to think of it. I knew he was dead, but it was possible for him to come back for a visit. In fact, he somehow let me know that he was back due to a special occasion. I have no idea what the special occasion was—it wasn’t his birthday, which was back in March or April, but I didn't want to ask him because he seemed to think I should know.
Later that day, I looked up the meaning of hydrangeas: friendship, understanding, devotion, gratitude.
Still later that day, I received the message that my story about Buddy, “Happy Holi-dog,” was accepted for publication in the aforementioned book.
Friendship, understanding, devotion, gratitude. I will always feel those things for Buddy. And for Chicken Soup for the Soul, come to think of it.
Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. ~Edna Buchanan
You gave me chills. Clearly, Buddy is still your protector and friend. Congratulations on a very timely publication acceptance!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely dream, Tammy. And congratulation on your CS story!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Congratulations on your story, Tammy! I still miss our Precious girl soooo much and she has been gone for almost two years. She slept with us at night, and made sure that our heads were all lined up in a row. I could hear her gentle snoring in my ear. Quite often, I think I see her out of the corner of my eye. Our pet children are so dear to us, aren't they! Wonderful and touching post.
ReplyDeleteTammy--Congratulations. Your story about Buddy is a wonderful, warm one. Chicken Soup was wise to snap it up.
ReplyDeleteAhh, Tammy you made me tear up. Congratulations on the publication.
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations about your story being accepted, for starters, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting part of this post to me is the hydrangeas, because it doesn't sound as if you knew their meaning before you looked them up ... but there they were in your dream, with Buddy, who stood for all those things. This is more like a vision than a dream!
When our Sonny died last December, it was so sudden. (He was sick, we took him to the vet, he had a lung tumor and within hours we had to put him to sleep.) That night, he came to say goodbye to me in a dream, and he was so happy and healthy. They think of us even when they are gone, isn't that something?
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Hugs,
Kathy M.
What a beautiful dream... congratulations. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on publication!
ReplyDeleteBuddy and hydrangeas and perfect timing. No coincidences.