I had this super realistic experience one night during my sleep.  This was a dream that I had which took place in a different (neutral) location that had a swimming pool and somewhat of a party going on around us. During my swim my old high school friend Malcom (deceased) waded up to me and began chatting with me. We shared surprised greetings and quickly caught up on my life events (since our last meeting) such as my new wife and young child. He seemed totally at peace and happy and it was super exciting to get to talk to him.  I cannot stress enough how "real" this experience was. The next morning I sat up in bed astonished at my dream!  It shook me to this day and when I tell people about it I really stress how realistic the event was.  The experience was as real as me talking to you today in person.  Just blew me away. I cannot recall any event that would have caused this dream to occur and I did not attempt to look up the date of his death or birthday to see if it had any bearing on my contact with him. I have not had any other contact from him since that night.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  Yes

Did you ONLY sense an awareness of presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them?            No

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?          Yes

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:    I felt as though we had a "real" face to face conversation during my dream.

            If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar from the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?           He sounded exactly the same as he did before his death.

            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           No

            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?   None

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?            No

Did you see the deceased?         Yes

He was in the pool with me shirtless and wet from swimming just as myself.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            As real as you or I.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       From about the waist up.... we were in waist deep water during the dream conversation.

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?       Looked to be the age (20) when he died.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            Looked OK and in good physical health.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           No

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      No

How long did the experience last?        Seems that the event lasted only a few minutes. We had a brief conversation which involved me informing him on my life during the last 20 years. Then I can't recall how the dream ended but it was over before I knew it.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         The beginning and the end were subtle.  No drastic events took place.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes

There was a definite sense of him being very content and at peace.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  None

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?           Experience was definitely real

            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:           I've had dreams before, even really moving dreams but this experience totally changed me.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Yes

My experience took place in a dream

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best was being able to visit with my old friend in such a relaxed atmosphere. The worst part was when my dream ended.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Uncertain     

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     I'm a believer that the deceased can contact you in a number of ways.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     It made me better understand life after death is out there and it seems to be a nice place.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            I was emotionally moved by my dream.  The event left me feeling as though I actually had a live conversation with the deceased.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Uncertain

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Uncertain

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Uncertain

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?            Uncertain

Did you see a light?           No

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?            Uncertain

Have you shared this experience with others?      Yes     I had no problem telling my close relatives of my dream. I'm sure they took it with a grain of salt.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?   No

Were there any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?            No

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes