Do you believe in them?

Dear all,

As you all must be aware by now, i lost my dad on March 30th this year. My only regret is we, his children and wife didnt get to say bye to him. Its my greatest regret. He was a survivor and i am sure he didnt want to leave us too...i know it.
But the so-called modern technology and medications left him too weak to fight the will to live anymore and i suppose he must have called it a day.
My heart is heavy as i write this. I have often wished that i cud have said a proper goodbye to him, i dont regret his going, its only the way he went that i regret.
I know every1 must die someday.

Anyways, all of us especially my mom has been waiting for some sign that hes with us. So far no one in the family has dreamt about him. I dreamt about him couple of times. Once when he appeared in my dreams and said he wanted me to get the kalash (pot) (we had cremated him in our native place, which is what he would have wanted) back to Bangalore where we live.

Another time, he appeared and i asked him if he was happy whereever he was. The first time i asked him, he didnt reply, he looked away. I asked him again and he said no, he wasnt happy.

the most recent dream i had of him was couple of weeks ago, when he appeared and said that my mom had hurt her leg and was in great pain but he would take care of it.

I hadnt spoken to my mom for a week, so i just called her and asked her if she was fine. then, she told me, she had fallen off a chair when she climbed atop to clean and had a huge swelling and clot on her leg. the pain was terrible first couple of days but it had reduced thereafter. Then, i told her abt my dream and she was happy that dad was still looking after us.

Sometimes, i wonder if it is possible for spirits to come of their free will or is it our wanting them so badly that WE ourselves make up such thing? does the mind conjure up these things? Do these things happen?

I don't know about others but I truly believe that our elders continue to look after us even after departing for the heavenly abode.

I lost my father too many years ago and at times in my life when I have been stressed out, he had appeared in my dreams and guided me. So I definitely believe he is out there looking after me and my family.

One thing I learnt from a friend is that in our dreams, we generally see the departed as still being alive. If you or your father are aware of the fact that he has lost his mortal body while you are in the dream, he may be caught in between heaven and earth and maybe that's why he is not happy. You may need to contact a pundit and do some special poojas to help your father attain moksh.

Dear Jaya,

Sorry to hear about your dad's demise.
I have not experienced such things myself but I strongly believe in the presence of spirits.
I would like to mention something which used to happen with my maternal grandmother. She and her hubby were a harmonius couple, there was lots of respect and love between them.When grandpa died of illness leaving her behind, she didnot cry so much so to the surprise of us all, infact i remember her keeping quiet and smiling on that day !
Grandpa was fond of certain food dishes which have never been favourate for grandma. After everybody ate dinner ,almost every day grandma would ask her dil to prepare certain food item , which were grandpa's fav dishes. Her sons and dils will wonder why after having a healthy and heavy dinner she would again wish to get all those things. plus she never used to do overeating. She then told everyone that grandpa visits her when everyone is asleep and relishes his fav food. She said she neither eats that dish nor does she throws it away, it just that she wants to please grandpa with tasty food when he comes at night.The vessels would be empty in the morning.
Perhaps that is why she did not cry at all at his death because she could always see him and talk to his spirit.
She is no more now. She was too kind and nice to me.
I hope they are together and happy.

Regards.

dear PMahensa and Oaktree,

Thank you for replying,

Pmahensa, whenever my dad comes in my dreams, both of us are aware that he doesnt have a mortal body. I suppose your right. I will talk to a priest near my house who is quite helpful and organise fo rsome pujas to be done soon so that my dad can rest in peace.

Oaktree, thank you for sharing your experience. Its nice to know that your grandmother didnt feel alone. What more can one ask for in their old age?

Take care,
JJ