The Last Visit in a Dream

My uncle came to live with us after his health began to fail. He had no one else nearby, and I had always felt a special bond with him, stronger than with my own father.

He stayed for half a year before deciding to travel south to be near his old friends. Two months after he left, I received a call saying his condition had worsened and the outlook was grim. I felt a deep sadness, but also a profound gratitude for the extra time we had shared.

One afternoon, I was dozing in my chair when I saw him clearly in a dream. He was walking cheerfully up the garden path, waving and telling me not to worry. He said he was going on a long trip, but promised he would see me again. He got into his old truck and drove away into a bright light.

The moment the truck vanished, the doorbell rang, startling me awake. It was the mail carrier with a letter.