After Pap died I was worried about dreaming about him. Sounds silly I know. I was afraid if I dreamed of him it would make me even sadder and I didn’t think I could stand that. Then as the days, weeks, and months went by I began to worry about not dreaming about Pap and wondered if I ever would.
Chitter and Chatter are big dreamers-usually as soon as they awake they start telling the craziness that occurred while they slept. Granny doesn’t approve, she will never tell her dreams before breakfast for fear they’ll come true. Both girls say they dream about Pap at least once a week if not more. They say sometimes it makes them sad and sometimes it doesn’t.
I finally dreamed about Pap Friday before last.
I was at some sort of meal-you know like dinner on the grounds or a family reunion. As I walked beside a long table looking for someone to eat my plate of food with I suddenly saw Pap sitting on the other side of the table with his own plate of food. I stopped and literally screamed “DADDY!” He gave me a smile and a small chuckle like he’d been waiting on me to find him and in the way of dreams the rest is pretty hazy.
I once heard Jimmy Ibbotson, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, tell how he dreamed a song.
A few months after his father passed away he dreamed he was in a southern church where he didn’t recognize anyone. The congregation started asking him to sing his new song-he told them he didn’t know what song they were talking about. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around it was his father. His father told him to go on and sing the song for them. As he walked up front and began to sing the words just flowed out and that’s how the amazing song was written or dreamed.
For this week’s Pickin’ & Grinnin’ In The Kitchen Spot Jimmy Ibbotson’s song I Find Jesus.
I hope you enjoyed the song, it has great words and the story behind how it was written makes it even more special to me.
Tipper
Once I dreamed of my mother, my sister and my husband, all who have passed away now. As I searched for each of them I saw them happy and enjoying themselves. I felt I could not call them away from where they were and I felt bereft and alone. Then, in my dream, my living sister, Gay, came and took my hand. She said come with me and I felt safe. I will never forget that dream. I also dreamed that Barry was sitting beside my bed when I awoke and he said, “I’m here.” That was all, but made me feel so much better.
I have other dreams since then that did not leave me feeling so good, and I wonder why that is so. Mother always told us not to tell a dream before breakfast because it would come true and I guess that is for those who have nightmares.
With so many projects, I find myself occasionally missing your posts. When I go back and read it always seems they are the ones that are most impactful. I just had to actually catch a stopping place today and post on this even though a day late.
From the beginning my heart just went out to you with the loss of your Dad. I, too, was a Daddy’s girl, and Mom loved to say we were “thick as thieves.” I lost my baby sister almost exactly one year after my Dad’s departure. I had many prayerful times, and seemed to be able to become closer by going to the cemetery and praying there. My first dream of him was not painful at all, but much like yours. I excitedly said “Daddy.” I then hugged him with the warmest feeling that stayed with me all day. My Mother had what they call a “visitation.” She said she looked out a window and saw him on his tractor, but he appeared young and healthy. My Mother was never one to imagine anything, and she was really too much into reality. So, I do believe she was being comforted.
We sometimes are led to believe that our five senses are all we have. If they can’t stick it under a microscope then it ain’t so. I know in my little corner of the world my Mom had a visitation which made us all feel better. He will have a new body in Christ! I had heard many of the old folks speak of visitations and warnings.
My Mom comes to me in dreams several times a week. I also dream about my grandparents that raised me until I was eleven. I feel they come to me because they know I still need them to be close. I always feel so good and at peace after those special dreams.
I love the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. My husband and I saw them just outside of Alamosa, Colorado. We rode a vintage train up a mountain to a beautiful meadow. They put on an incredible show. Afterward, getting back on the train, Jeff was next to me and I asked if he and the band would come by and talk with us. Sure enough, they all came to our seats and sat with us and posed with me for pictures and autographs. So down to earth and talented.
tipper, I know how you feel….I longed so much to see my fathers face just one more time….now its 15 years and not a day has passed that I don’t mention him…and I got a precious granddaughter that was born on his birthday…our loved ones are in our memories and hearts…till we meet again at our precious Lords feet
hugs and much love to you
xoxo
lynn
I have been without Mommy and Daddy (I don’t hesitate to call them that) for much longer than I had them. Not because I am that old but because they were that young when they had to leave. I didn’t dream about them for a long time afterward but now I do so often. The older I get the more I enjoy those visits to the past. I no longer worry nor dread what dreams lie ahead for it’s the future that’s full of danger not the past.
Dreams are the mechanism that allows us to process the information that our senses gather each day. Things that our subconscious perceives without our conscious realizing it comes to the forefront in our dreams. Things we don’t even realize we sensed becomes real although we may not recognize them. Dreams are not predictors of the future but remembrances of the past. It is our way of putting everything in its place. Those of us who were blessed with good and Godly parents ought to look forward to dreams of them and awaken afterward with a song in our hearts. Amen!
I wasn’t going to respond, but keep having the same thoughts: your girls may need to dream about him more often than you; after all, they are young adults and there are so many distractions vying for their attention that dreaming about him may help them sort life out. But you don’t need to dream about Pap so often – based on everything you have shared, he is so integral to everything you are and are yet to be ; now that you’re busily getting into your new normal, maybe this dream is just a reminder that he’s always there, you just need to pause a minute and you’ll realize that you don’t need to think about him 24/7 for him to be with you – he’ll be there whenever you pause; you’ll notice him in the most mundane of moments; his wisdom flows through you to your girls; he is a part of you.
My dad was a very private man. After he died I had a worry in me about him and his eternity because he did not openly profess his beliefs. Months after his death I had a dream where I was searching for him in a place unfamiliar to me. It was a very peaceful place but I was getting worried because I couldn’t find him. Suddenly he appeared with a smile like I had never seen on him before. He wanted to know what was wrong. I asked him if he was ok and he replied that he had never been better and not to ever worry for him again and I never have. He is at rest in the arms of God and that is all the reassurance I need.
I had never put much credence in dreams because they were so abstract but that one was clearly a message from dad and one I will never forget.
He wanted me to know that he was just fine and to stop worrying over him.
I didn’t have to try and figure it out. It was as plain as day that he was happy and at peace. I will never stop missing him but I know he would not trade his place there for a place back here.
Thanks for sharing your dream about Pap with us. It stirred up sweet memories for me. God Bless!
Hi Tipper,What a Blessing,Lord willing one day we will be sitting around the LORDS table.About 1 And a half years ago I was sitting and praying on the side of my bed and all at once I felt my mother and step father sitting one on each side of me.I can still feel them.Yesterday I commented haveing married 61 years ago, I always remember the day but Richard past away 28 months later.God Bless.Jean
Tipper,
Just before Our Gal finished her Broadcast today, she played “Until Then” by Paul and Pap and the Gang. I was fortunate to be at the Blairsville Courthouse when this was recorded, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I have told Paul several times that I thought he was the Best Guitar picker I ever heard. And Pap does the harmony just perfect. You can tell he’s so familiar playing music, just watch his pickin’ hand.
My Daddy has been gone since ’82 and I’ve never dreamed about him. But he always had a sensible answer to his boy’s questions. I think of him often and I know you are a daddy’s girl. …Ken
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve had similar dreams about my Dad, but much longer after he passed. Always, I am encouraged.
Tipper this is such a touching article, and even though it took you a while to have this dream, just know that carrying the memories every day in our hearts helps out a heap, and when you said that you seen Pap sitting at a table it kind of reminds me of the old song ‘Come on Home it’s Suppertime’ it’s a very touching song as well but also a great message, OH! tell the girls Happy Birthday for me please, and thank you, hope you folks have a great day…
Thank you for sharing this Tipper! I was in the same place over 20 years ago. Wanted to dream of my daddy – yet fearing it at the same time. Since then, it seems as though Daddy comes to me in dreams when I need his council the most. I think, in dreams, the veil between this world and the next is the thinnest.
Tipper, my parents are close in my heart, their sayings come to me often, and their pictures are in my mind always, even though they have been dead 16 years. I dream of them off and on. Now it is comforting to me, and I embrace. When I did make the long trip to Tennessee to see their graves at the cemetery, I would go off alone and talk to them awhile catching them up on the news of the family. I lay out my heart to them, and I feel better. I know they are in heaven, and I know they saw all the expectant grandkids before I did; but somehow it is so great to tell them. Your wonderful memories of such a great dad will give you nothing but treasures later in life. I do hope you find it so -early for your comfort. Jan
Tip, this one touches me so deeply that it is beyond words. Pap is just fine!
aww, glad you had your first dream of Pap!
I consider my dreams of my parents as a lovely visit.
I heard a Sermon once on Dying Grace and Living Grace, and Our Heavenly Father gives it to those who are his.. Dreams have a purpose, remember Daniel and Joseph now these Guys knew Dreams.. God sends his Grace to discourage us sometimes to warn, but to encourage us sometimes when we need it the most. We all have love ones who are waiting on us to see them one day, and God has his way of letting us know everything is OK..
You know, Tipper, you’ve been giving us Blind Pig and the Acorn now for several years. Your love for your father is, at once, a very personal journey and one that you love to share with us. Your readers have come to love your family and we too miss Mr. Wilson. You have your memories and we have his music.
Thank you for the tender story and Jimmy Ibbotson’s song, done so beautifully by your brother.
How appropriate for this God-given, beautiful Sunday Morning.
Oh, Tipper, that’s a beautiful dream to be treasured! After my daddy was gone, I didn’t dream about him for years. Then, one night, I dreamed that I was going home to my parents’ house in Texas. When I got there, Daddy was sitting on the front porch playing a guitar and singing. It was so vivid and beautiful, and the odd thing is that my father never in his life even once touched any musical instrument, and I never heard him sing.
Last summer i fell asleep in the easy chair and dreamed about Dad.He came walking through my house.It was so real,when i woke up i called for him,but he was gone.
LG
Dream Songs…
I find myself again in these Mountains
Sitting by the River alone
I’ve awakened to to the Appalachian Morning
In West Virginia, My home
I’m singing a song of freedom
I’m dancing to the music in the air
As I think of You in that distant City
I’m thinking some how I should be there
But my spirit soars in these Mountains
My Heart will always be here
It seems I never really left completely
Though I’ve traveled far through the years.
I miss you, I’m longing for your Lovin
As I sit by the River alone
But my Heart belongs to these Mountains
West Virginia will always be my Home
Let me sing my song of freedom
Let me dance to the music in the air
Let me live, Laugh & love in these Mountains
West Virginia will always be my Home
Love Appalachia. Love my “Roots” in North Carolina & West Virginia. Same Mountains. Borderlines are Man made, not God made.
Thank you, Tipper
Chuck
Dear Tipper:
Me, too. God Bless
Love,
Sue
I know what you mean about being afraid to dream. Dreams are so uncontrollable and can be disturbing. But what a gift that dream was, Tipper – a little smile and a chuckle 🙂
How wonderful! I haven’t dreamed of Mama in quite a while but it was always a comfort when I did.
When my Dad died in 2010, it was almost two years before I had dreams that included him. I think tramatic events somehow block or short circuit our subconscious brain activity, maybe to give us a break from our waking grief (just conjecture, I really don’t know) It made me feel a little guilty that such a loss permeate into my dreams. Now I don’t feel that way.
Other daunting life events (like huge, one time projects) seem to follow suit.
When we moved our house 1 1/2 miles 16 years ago, it was a couple years before I dreamed about that. Of course the circumstances were changed and progress never changed. Does ANYONE ever get anything done week dreams are task centered?
This song is unfamiliar to me, but how wonderful to “find Jesus in the darkest night”. Thanks, Tipper, for often writing what we need to hear. Blessings on this Lord’s Day!
BEAUTIFUL Tipper!
I am afraid to respond to your post today! But it sure hit home for me. My first dream about Joey, after he was killed in a car accident, was just a few nights after his death! It left me shaken for days.
Of course it doesn’t take much to trip me up even today – three decades later! But I just focus on my beautiful world, where I have three fantastic grandsons and devoted family members! Life is good!
Eva Nell
There is a dream I have had three times that I hope one day will come true. I am in a place I don’t recognize. The first time I am looking at a church beside the road that I have never seen. The second time it is the same church only then it has a new tin roof. The third time I do not see it but I am climbing the hill behind it and I know that without looking back to see. Unlike any other dreams I have ever had, these three do not fade. Even stranger, when I recalled them afterwards, I ‘knew’ more details, tiny ones that I did not seem to ‘see’ in the dreams themselves.
Your dream reminds me of the of the Bible verse “I sleep but my heart waketh”.
My Grandma Tanner’s diary has a entry describing a dream. She was in a shack over the water. Strangers and family were gathered, some who had died, such as the baby she lost to whooping cough. There were both Black and White folks, land they all smiles at her but no one would speak.
She wrote how ‘it would have been a wonderful dream if anybody could have spoke.’
Very nice post and video. I didn’t know the story behind this song. Thanks
Interwoven guitar….
I liked this. I had the same feelings/experience as you.
Wonderful song and singing on this fine Sunday morn. Thank you, girlie girl.
Often my dreams are more interesting than my real life or maybe they are a big part of my real life. Don’t think Ibbotson plays much with the Dirt Band anymoreJack, but I saw a TV special recently when he showed up and it really added a lot to their sound. Enjoyed Pap’s rendition of the song.
Tipper,
So many times, memories fall from my eyes!