Mom said be practical

I dreamt about my mom last night.
It was one of those weird dreams where we were in a restaurant, or eatery of some sort - maybe the dining room at Alexian Village where my dad now lives.
It was filled with families at tables.
My dad was with me, and Liz ...I don't know who took the fourth space at our table, but my mom sort of walked over and was with us. She was wearing the dress she made for my wedding mass.

Dad was suddenly not there and Liz and I were talking about Dad's 90th birthday and I wanted to get him an Amazon gift card so he could learn how to shop on line. Liz suggested something funny, like a stuffed animal and I asked Mom if we should do fun or practical gifts.
Mom said, the main gift should be practical and then we could fill in with fun.  Sounds to me like a life lesson.
I didn't waste the 27 years since my Mom died, but I wasn't always practical with them. Maybe I should remember that practical and fun can go together and I would be fulfilled if I learn to blend both.

When we were leaving, my mom was taking the napkins to throw them away and I finally broke down and asked the question I've held inside for years.
"Do you miss us or is heaven that wonderful? Some days I miss you so much I don't know if I can go on."
She replied, "heaven is that wonderful."  She listed a number of names of people she knew in heaven and then she told me to hang in there.

And I woke up.

I miss you Mom.