The Time Between Times When the Veil is Thinnest

Connecting with your Loved Ones

Welcome to Dream Travels. Adventures on dream sharing, being the expert of your dreams, and synchronicities with waking life.

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“Yet, in that time, somehow, someone of flesh or a force of spirit reaches out and lays a hand on us lightly, to let us know that someone, or Someone, is with us. Perhaps this person, this creature, this angelic force stays with us, not allowing us to be alone in a time of such pain.” (pg. 228) Untie the Strong Woman by Clarissa Pinkolas Estes, PhD

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This book is a balm to me and this passage reminds me of how unseen forces or spirits are always there to soothe us when we need them most. 

For me, that connection most often happens in my dreams or that time between times when I’m just about to fall asleep or wake up. 

That connection is also stronger during certain times of the year. 

Samhain is a pagan festival of the ancient Celts and what Halloween is named after. It’s celebrated from October 31st to November 1. It’s that magical time when the veil between our world and the world of the spirits are at their thinnest. When it’s possible to feel your loved ones and connect. 

In Untie the Strong Woman, Estes lets us know that in those darkest times when you’re in pain and grieving the loss of your loved one, you are not alone. 

Very early in the loss of Nick, his little brother was the first to dream of him. Nick appeared upside down hanging from the ceiling in our family room. He said hi to his 11-year-old little brother and let him know he was near. Appearing as Spider-Man made sense since when he was five years old Stephen channeled his inner Spider-Man by slathering glue on his hands and attempting to walk up the hallway doors.

Our loved ones appear in ways that we’ll recognize and appreciate.

I had multiple dreams of Nick where he explained how to communicate with him. Through telephone, radio, computer, or video games. He was a big gamer and wanted to be a technology teacher so using that mode of communication made sense.

These dreams were fabulous and assuaged a bit of the pain I felt. Yet, I still physically missed him like an amputated limb. I longed to hold my son.

The pain stabs me as I think of his loss. Especially today. On this date 16 years ago we began to lose Nick. On this day, something went terribly wrong and he ended up in the hospital. We had to make the hardest decision of our lives.

To let him go.

I needed to know that my son was OK and that he was always with me. I didn't care how but somehow, some way I needed Nick to give me a sign. 

It happened one evening when Stephen and I cuddled on my bed. Sad. Heartbroken. Lost. I wrapped my child in my arms wishing I could stop his pain. I couldn't. I could only hold him.

As we lay there in that time between time, when sleep was almost here, I felt warmth above us. 

Arms cocooned us in love as they soothed and eased. 

Nick was there. 

I took a deep breath and relaxed possibly for the first time since we had lost him. He held us as we mourned his loss.

Nick let us know that he was OK. 

He covered us in a warm blanket of love.

In our darkest moments, Nick is there.

Nick always knows when I need him to pop in. Certain times of the year, more so during the month of October.

October 31st, Samhain, Halloween, the Time Between Times, whatever you wished to call it, I invite Nick to visit.

This day is symbolic for us in multiple ways and I'll write about that on the 31^st.

For Halloween, I create an altar for Nick. I cut an apple in half so that you see the star in the center. The star shines much like Nick's smile. 

Nick at age 12 in his grandfather’s backyard (Photo by Author)

An apple is an ancient symbol of knowledge and has long been used by Celts, wiccans, and druids. The star is considered a symbol of good luck, immortality, and love. It’s a connection to that moment when the energetic and physical barriers between dimensions thin. 

I place a lit candle and the apple outside where it stays through the night. It’s an invitation to Nick to let him know that we'd love a visit.

I don't always have a dream of Nick on Halloween night. But he'll send me a sign like a flickering of the lights or a child showing up in a costume that is so Nick I can imagine him as a child trick or treating. 

Lighting this candle and setting up this altar to him is a welcoming. It shows how much we appreciate his hugs, visits, and love this precious connection to his beautiful spirit.

There are many ways to connect with your loved ones who are no longer physically here. 

There's no right or wrong time. It's usually when we need them most.

When you feel that hand on your shoulder or your body enveloped in a warm hug, I hope it's the loved one that you most wish to connect with.

During this magical season of Samhain and Halloween, may your altar be a beautiful invitation to those who you would love to visit.

May it be so.

Let’s Connect: Always happy to hear from you. Feel free to share stories or how this resonates. All thoughts are welcome!

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