This is a new one for me… lost in a dream. It happened last night.
The set up
I love to drive. Long trips with my wife. Or the whole family years ago. But another pleasure is driving alone. The open road. I loved driving to work, or my semi-nearby manufacturing plants. Sometimes the road trips have been many hours. When traveling from Iowa to Tennessee I discovered I could drive faster and cheaper than flying. Plus, I never liked flying. Not to the John Madden extent, but just disliked the crowds of an airport, cramped seating, and loss of control.
Behind the wheel on my own. Soothing. Calming. Before and after work or a distant visit.
Since 2007 my weapon of choice has been a black Toyota Avalon. Finest vehicle I have ever owned. Roomy, comfortable and a true pleasure to drive. Sure, nothing beats a sports car on a winding mountain road. But for a daily driver, my Avalon is a champion steed.
Last night
So not unusual for driving to be involved in my dreams, but last night was intense, with a dash of “disturbing”. I was halfway home on my all day road trip. Alone. I stopped in a small town for a late lunch and to walk a few blocks to stretch out my legs. A little mist began to hang in the air, so i ducked into a small mall. The mall was completely empty. As I walked it blossomed into a fantastically cavernous mall. Empty store after empty store.
Finally, I reached the other side, opened the door to the outside. There I stared at a carwash and Mexican restaurant, partially burned. I could smell the burnt wood hanging in the air. There had been a fire. Recently. Like the night before. I walked further and further, around the tiny mall that had become enormous. Circling back to my car. Passing more and more burnt buildings. The wind picked up, blowing ashes into my eyes. Stumbling, stumbling I realized I was lost. Firetrucks still prowled the unfolding scene. I was hopelessly lost. Where did my car go? Where did the mall go? Nothing but burnt and smoldering buildings. Every business in this town seemed burned to the ground or heavily damaged.
A cop car ahead. Should I ask for directions? No, he had more important things on his mind. Like… who started this fire? Oh, no, maybe I would be a suspect. I shuffled on. Further and further, despairingly lost in a sea of disaster.
Today
I googled “lost in a dream” when I awoke.
There are many psychological interpretations of lost dreams:
- You feel insecure in new surroundings or unfamiliar situations.
- A new situation has arisen and you don’t know what to do.
- You are stifled in your current situation and you want to escape.
- You can’t find a solution to your problem, or you need clarity or answers.
- There is an important decision to make, but you can’t face up to it.
- You are unprepared for something that is coming, such as a new job or baby.
- You have always depended on other people and you fear to lose them.
- You are in a rut and have lost your sense of purpose.
Hmm, no, no, no, no …..
Maybe it is the whole corona virus thing? The economy in ruins.
Or maybe just something weird I ate.
Today was another beautiful day. We went for a drive of course.
Bought our hanging baskets of flowers today. Then headed to a beach. The Holland State Park. Along the way we passed dozens of people walking, biking, running. Almost no face masks… thankfully. Nothing to fear in fresh air.
A good crowd at the beach, but not unsafe. A hazy sunshine and 70 degrees. Hundreds of people getting sun, walking, enjoying nature.
Almost no wind. I was able to launch my drone and circle the Holland lighthouse. nicknamed “Big Red”.
Afterwards, we spent a couple hours at our dog park. Shilo playing hard with her friends. Us talking to their owners. A lazy day. As they should be. A day lost in a dream.
