Mom's "Gezellig" Party

Josy had a dream last night.

We were giving a 20-something colleague of hers a ride to the airport. On the way, we stopped briefly to see some friends of the family. They said to come with them to a party next door.

This is how it always works in dreams. You're doing something entirely logical. And then you start doing something else. And at the time, the change of course seems entirely logical too. But in retrospect, you'd never be giving someone a ride to the airport and then, spontaneously, drag them to a party.

The whole family was there. Even my mom. And she looked great. Quite an accomplishment, since she died five years ago.

My dad was beaming. Said he thought Mom looked great. She'd maybe lost a little weight. Her hair was that same dyed brown. True to form, she was wearing her favorite purple turtleneck. Everyone was delighted to see her and have a chance to catch up.

At this point, Josy's 20-something colleague started to freak out a bit. Something about the idea of seeing a dead person at a party was unsettling. This may have overshadowed the fact she wasn't getting to catch her flight.

Apparently, or so Josy says she knew in the dream, Mom makes this visit once a year at this time. And we all get together, have a party and catch up. A lovely tradition.

Josy gave my mom a hug. Someone asked her what it was like, to hug someone who'd died and was visiting. Was it like hugging air? No, Josy said. It was just like hugging her normally. A real hug.

The Dutch have a word, "gezellig." There's no direct translation but it generally means "nice togetherness." That sums up the feeling of Josy's dream. We were all there. And my mom too. Together. Nicely catching up. Just like we do every year when she comes back for her party.

I almost feel like I was there too.