I live in Washington and my mother lived in Illinois.  She was 91 and not in good health, but certainly not considered dying.  Mother lived in her own home with a part-time helper and my twin sister, who lived down the street.

I talked to mother every Saturday and had just returned from visiting her in September. The three of us were very close.

I was asleep and it was early in the morning.  The time when you dream vivid dreams but almost never remember them, or recall them for just a few seconds before they dissipate.  I was sleeping peacefully when suddenly I saw myself in an airport.  I was looking out one of those large windows where the planes can be seen coming and going. 

I saw my mother standing midway up the steps of a small passenger plane like the kind that shuttles between neighboring cities.  She was looking at me with her face radiant, a glowing smile, relaxed and carefree.  She was going someplace wonderful, that was obvious.  She was dressed in her typical colors, though I didn't recognize the specific clothes, her handbag by her side, but no suitcases.  Wherever she was going, she wasn't coming back.

I stood there, on the other side of the glass, unable to reach her or really communicate. 

At first, I thought she was just standing where the sun was shining directly on her face, but realized later that she had an inner radiance that somehow transformed her.  It was my mother, yet I sensed an inner spirit that had been released somehow.  She was Barbara, but not "just" Barbara.

I woke up, startled by what I had just envisioned.  I was mystified.  Never have I had a dream about her, or anyone until now.  I would find out later that day that mother was in the hospital and would die a few days later.  She was saying goodbye, knowing I would not make it in time to speak to her.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?          No

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?         No

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

Did you see the deceased?        Yes

Dressed in exactly the type of clothes she would wear.  At least 20 years younger, when she would have still been in her prime.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?           Solid.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       All of her.

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?      20-25 years younger.  Mother had osteoporosis, with the curved spine that is characteristic of the disease.  Here she was standing straight and tall, no walker, no hearing aids, etc.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?           Completely healthy.  Vibrant and radiant.  No trace of infirmity, advanced age, or pain.

            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?       Probably less than a minute.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?        Sudden.  I was suddenly there, in that airport.  And suddenly woke up sfter it was over.

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

She was full of joy, which was not a common emotion for her.  Joyful expectation, she was going somewhere absolutely wonderful and had somehow, already been transformed in the process of getting on that plane, which obviously was a metaphor.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know? No. It was clear she was not to speak, or could not.

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:         It was real in the sense that I know I dreamed it, I wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and I'm a healthy, sane person.  It happened to me.  I wasn't thinking of mother when I went to bed, wasn't upset, crying, depressed, or anything else.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  Yes

I was asleep when it happened, so yes a dream, but the clarity and intensity were so powerful I can recall it like it was yesterday.

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:          I was primarily perplexed...I didn't know where she was going, why she looked so different, and why I wasn't with her.

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?          Yes

Only as I look back on it.  She saying goodbye and telling me that she was finally free of this sickly body.  It was comforting to know that she might still exist, and I may see her again.  It's the only thing that has convinced me thus far of afterlife.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?     Best:  Seeing mother so happy.

Worst: Not able to speak to her.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?       No