I was staying with my ex-wife, Michelle, at her parents’ home. At this point, we had been separated for at least seven months, making the situation awkward and uncomfortable for all involved. This arrangement was untenable, as Michelle’s mother, a Jehovah’s Witness, rejected any claims of spirituality and refused to discuss such topics. Her father, non-religious, had made it clear that I was not to speak of these matters and requested that I leave his daughter’s life. I believe he still resented me for marrying Michelle without asking for his consent, a tradition of a bygone era.
Michelle and I had met under challenging circumstances. She had been abandoned, living in substandard conditions in a small room above my local pub, struggling financially with no money for even basic necessities. Her mother had asked her to leave home, disapproving of her “witchcraft” and suppressing her desire to learn about deeper spirituality. This is how Michelle had ended up homeless, and this is how we met.
My presence in her parents’ home was becoming increasingly unwelcome, and regular, antagonistic visits from my brother’s girlfriend to see Michelle only served to exacerbate tensions. Eventually, the pressure became unbearable, and I was forced to couch surf with friends and ultimately stay with my uncle, who I couldn’t tolerate.
My circumstances continued to deteriorate, and I eventually found myself homeless, relying on Michelle’s car for shelter and her parents’ house for a shower. Thankfully, a kind lady at the Manna Society, a day centre for homeless people, soon realised my plight and provided me with much-needed support.
Though the accommodation she secured for me was substandard and uninviting, it gave me a fighting chance. The property belonged to the church and was funded through housing benefits and deductions from our unemployment benefits.
Aside from occasional visits from Michelle, I had no other support. My family had betrayed her too, and with me out of the picture, their hideous secrets were safe. They no longer had any use for her.
One night, I had a particularly vivid and beautiful dream. In it, I found myself walking on a beach with fine white and yellow sands, illuminated by the stars in the clear night sky. The waves of the sea gently washed up onto the sand, and the water glowed with particles of illuminated blue algae. As I looked up, I saw a stunning purple nebula and a myriad of bright stars scattered like a milky way.
As I sat on the sandy beach, admiring the beauty and feeling at peace, I noticed a figure emerging from the waves. As it got closer, I realised it was Michelle. She gracefully walked towards me and sat down beside me on the sand. I placed my left arm around her shoulders, and we admired the view together. I told her how pleased I was to share this moment with her.
However, the serenity was short-lived, as the reality of our problems began to invade my consciousness. A voice called out to me from above, urging me to leave. I looked up and saw three women dressed in golden armour with breastplates, resembling characters from the film “Immortals.” Acknowledging their concern, I said goodbye to Michelle and, without hesitation, jumped into the sky to join them.
After this dream, I resolved not to share it with Michelle or anyone else. I wanted to test the reality of my dreams and their connection to my waking life.
Six months later, Michelle and I decided to move in together again. Our situation was far from ideal, but we were happier and more fulfilled. It was during this time that Michelle attended spiritual classes and experienced an out-of-body experience during a meditation session
To my astonishment, she recounted a dream she had experienced recently, which was eerily similar to my own from months before. In her dream, she was walking along the same beach with the fine white and yellow sands, bathed in the glow of the stars and bioluminescent algae in the waves. She, too, saw the vibrant purple nebula and the milky way of stars that decorated the night sky.
As she walked along the beach, she noticed me sitting there, waiting for her. She approached and sat down beside me, and I put my arm around her. We enjoyed the view together, feeling a sense of peace and connection that we hadn’t felt for a long time.
Her recollection of the dream was strikingly similar to mine, down to the finest details. This shared dream served as a reminder of our bond and the spiritual connection that we had formed during our tumultuous journey together. It gave us hope and encouraged us to embrace the challenges we faced, knowing that we had something unique and powerful to hold onto.
As we continued to navigate our lives, we often revisited this shared dream, drawing strength and inspiration from it. It became a symbol of the resilience of our love and the deep spiritual connection that could withstand the most challenging of circumstances. While our relationship continued to face adversity and trials, we held onto the belief that the universe had brought us together for a reason and that our love was meant to transcend the physical realm.
Over time, our shared dream served as a touchstone for our growth and understanding of our spiritual path. It encouraged us to explore deeper aspects of ourselves and our connection to the world around us. While our journey was fraught with difficulties, the revelation of our shared dream provided us with the courage and inspiration to persevere and to trust in the power of love and spiritual connection.