Since Erik’s death, my second eldest daughter has felt a bit dejected and frustrated, because she has not experienced the same spiritual visitations from him as some other family members have. I understand her despondency, because she and Erik were extremely close. Not only did they have a lot of fun together, they also got into a lot of trouble together. Not serious trouble, but trouble none the less. Let’s just say they were cohorts in crime.

Last night, however, the sense of alienation Michelle has experienced all these many months came to an end with a wonderful dream. Instead of her usual dreamless nights, Michelle had her first vivid one…a meeting with Erik. In her dream, she was peering out of Lukas’s bedroom door into the game room where she saw Erik sitting on one of the sofas. His head was tilted back, his eyes were open, and he seemed to be in a state of peaceful relaxation, absorbed in his own thoughts.

Overjoyed, Michelle bolted into the room and stopped right in front of him, shouting, “Erik, you’re here!” She knew he had died and didn’t harbor any delusions that that had changed, but she was just so happy to see him.

Erik responded with a startled look of disbelief, then said, “Michelle, you can see me?”

Michelle said, “Yes, I can see you!” and with that, Erik stood up abruptly and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. He felt so real, so solid.

Erik has said many times that he hangs out at the house a lot. It doesn’t surprise me that he was relaxing on the sofa, given how busy he’s been lately. And how nice to know that his noble efforts to help so many has been rewarded with a sister’s love.  How nice to know that Michelle enjoyed the end of a long and lonely dry spell.