Night before last I dreamed there were huge alligators floating in my house.
My son—who was still a little boy—kept trying to cross the room, even though he was well aware of the dangers. I kept reaching out, pulling him by the back of the shirt, saying sternly, "NO! Don't do that!" I would lift him up by his collar, feet dangling just out of the reptiles' reach, and deposit him on the bed beside me. I watched as the deadly creatures circled around us, their large eyes peeping just above the murky surface, looking for something to devour. Despite my warnings, I struggled to keep my boy beside me.
My son continued to ignore me, seemingly oblivious. Repeatedly I yanked him out of the water just in the nick of time. This exercise was replayed ad nauseam. I was getting very tired, and wondered how long I could continue to save him. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why he insisted on taking that risk!
Funny how our dreams, even abstract ones, can mimic what is going on in our lives.
Ah, photography, how I love thee. Unlike our fluid lives, a camera has the capability to freeze a moment in time. Photographic mistakes can be deleted from memory with one click of a button...forever...never to haunt see the light of day again. I do wish my life could perform some of those functions. But if it could, I guess I wouldn't grow and learn.
What brings you joy and why? Do you have any recurring dreams that are bothersome or that you like?
My grandmother used to say if one dreamed of snakes it meant the devil was trying to get a foothold. I wonder what alligator dreams mean? They're in the reptile family, after all. Hmmmm. I also have recurring dreams that I forgot to bathe or feed my kids. I hate that dream when it decides to visit me.
Last night my husband went to a business dinner. I had a somewhat stressful day at the office and felt restless home alone. I ventured outside to see if there was a sunset. Lo and behold there was a pretty nice one. Not the best I've seen, but good enough. I grabbed the one thing that is bringing me joy these days: my camera.
Ah, photography, how I love thee. Unlike our fluid lives, a camera has the capability to freeze a moment in time. Photographic mistakes can be deleted from memory with one click of a button...forever...never to haunt see the light of day again. I do wish my life could perform some of those functions. But if it could, I guess I wouldn't grow and learn.
What brings you joy and why? Do you have any recurring dreams that are bothersome or that you like?
well, according to my dream book, an alligator symbolizes 'tremendous power for verbal expression, which must be watched carefully so not used destructively. fear of the misuse of verbal power.'
ReplyDeletesorry you are obviously concerned for your son. i know a mother's worry never ends...
i often dream of being in school - lessons in life i'm obviously supposed to be learning but am not paying attention...
All teachers (also the retired ones) know about "teacher dreams"---we are either unprepared, unable to find the classroom, unable to manage out-of-control students, or even unclothed! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour sunsets look ominous, for some reason, maybe because of the depth of color. Impressive, however.
Dreams often belie our stress. Serious stress an inability to solve the issue with verbal communication. Someone is not listening. Because of this you have been unable to relax to rest properly.
ReplyDeleteThere are four seasons, there a even more seasons of life, it will turn again. Or, you will see it from a new perspective, and be able to settle down.
Gorgeous wild sunset photos!
Ditto what Evelyn said about teacher dreams!
ReplyDeleteYour sunset shots are gorgeous! It's good that you can sometimes escape with your camera.
I also checked out what an alligator dream symbolized and found what others said. If this happened to me, I'd think perhaps I was biting my tongue to keep something from slipping out.
ReplyDeleteI've had similar dreams about my husband (which he laughed about, men!) - but, when I looked back I had cast my fears about a new project onto him...that protective thing women have.
Looooved your sunset!
I used to dream about my car slipping into a lake, while I watched helplessly on the bank. Control issues, or lack of it? :)
ReplyDeleteLove your sunsets. The deep reds are gorgeous.
Oh, that dream sounds awful. I'll bet you were glad when you woke up. When I was little I always used to have a dream that my bed was floating in water...wonder what that means? Your sunset photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo Tricia
I've had some pretty weird dreams lately, but within a few hours, the memory has dissolved into sand so fine I can't grasp it any more - yet the feeling remains. Sending hugs and prayers about yours, though. And lord have mercy, that was a beautiful sunset and beautiful photos! Yes, my camera brings me joy, but not when I can't find much to photograph and don't have time to go searching!
ReplyDeleteOh wow that sounds pretty scary.. Before I divorced my first husband I would always have a dream that someone was trying to kill me and I would always escape.. I never had that dream again after we split.. So I do believe they mean something. But usually not what we think.. Your sunset shots are gorgeous..
ReplyDeleteHugs, Linda
Lovely sunset. Yes, grabbing my camera is a great joy, especially if I catch a shot I'm really pleased with....and then I can share it on my blog - which brings me even more joy! So much in life brings me joy....
ReplyDeletefor many years i had a recurring dream involving snakes. they terrify me... cant even watch the on tv.. and i would wake up screaming everytime i had the dream. for the last ten years, i have only had that dream when i have been upset.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with your son and it's just a mother's worry and nothing else. That sunset looks like a lamp casting its light below, especially in the second image. Love them!
ReplyDeleteThat molten gold around the sun is awesome!
ReplyDeletePS Your dream (though frightening) allows your subconscious to express what you might not be fully able to while awake. I had a recurring dream for years that concerned one of my children who was troubled. Thankfully, she's grown now with a child of her own - I'll have to ask her about her dreams!
ReplyDeleteNightmares actually Gail, I prefer not to share and fortunately forget most of it anyway once I have woken, even in tears recently! I know it is just a passing phase and is probably due to mourning my Mum, I understand totally what you mean about photography, it gives me great joy.
ReplyDeleteThese sunset photos are lovely, Mother Nature never fails to please me.
My recurring dreams are almost always about things out of my control ('cause I'm a control freak!). It's usually a school dream (I haven't been to the class all year, and now I have to take the final exam - or I can't remember my schedule, can't find the classroom, etc.). Sometimes I dream about zombies attacking, or driving off a bridge/into water.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images!
ReplyDeleteMy recurring dream - missing a flight (and I rarely fly)
Great photos Gail! The older i get I have to say that i don't remember my dreams much anymore. Not such a bad thing! Many years ago I used to dream that I couldn't get into my locker at school! Now i'm not going to take that one apart!
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams for you tonight!
Urgh - one of the drawbacks of being a parent is how much we worry about our kids.
ReplyDeleteThese shots are stunning and uplifting.
A mom never stops worrying. Think about what your son is up to in his life right now and you might know why you are dreaming of him venturing into dangerous waters, and needing mom's rescue. Beautiful sunset.. redder than I've ever seen one. Keep on enjoying that camera... and sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, Gail, that's fantastic. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good with dream interpretation, but believe that God uses dreams to awaken us--to make us aware. There's little I know to do, but to pray--I pray hard that God builds a hedge around my child and brings good people into his life.
Hope you have a good weeken.
My dreams are varied and very detailed. Some I remember and some fade. Often I dream of my life 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteLove the sunset pics...dramatic!
I'm fighting w/LR3. Tools are malfunctioning. I've spent all week trying to edit my Hmong pics. Today I'm going back to PS!
I have the strangest and unsettling dreams lately. It must be the stress fueling those wild dreams.
ReplyDeleteYour photography brings us joy too. I need to find time to write again to feel calmer and more at peace.
The pictures are beautiful, Gail.
Wow, what a photos!!! Really beautiful blog!♥
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Finland!
Marge
Ooh, I don't like anxiety dreams at all - I feel I don't get a good nights rest. I think the comments above are interesting - I too dream of going to school & not finding my classes or forgetting my locker code. Your sunset photos are stunning. I find photography to be a great creative outlet for me (and blogging). Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible dream...the kind you're always glad to wake up from. I sometimes dream that I'm falling. The falling doesn't scare me, it's the upcoming landing that has me in a panic. But...then I wake up and all is fine. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures. The colors are amazing!
Yes, I have reccuring dreams and none of them are pleasant, they can all be connected to something that has happened or is happening in my life.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful,wonderful colors ~simply georgous.
Photography. It brings me such peace and allows me the solitude to explore my creative side and hide from the stress of life. I know you get that, but it's almost impossible to explain to nonphotographers.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I've been away so long. Life got a little crazy there for a while.
Dreams can be such a nightmare! I'm sure it is like everyone else has said, your sub conscience trying to bring to light an uncomfortable situation in real life
ReplyDeleteI love your sunset pictures. I'm glad you have an escape
I am sorry to hear that you camera is your only joy.... i sure hope that i just misunderstood and that there are several things you enjoy. i do believe in dreams, but sometimes they are just to hard to unravel and you just have to live lifein order to find out.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day!
Leontien
I don't dream very much at all, and if I do, I don't remember them. Kinda feel like I am missing out on something!
ReplyDeleteMy son had an interesting dream a couple of weeks ago though. When he came downstairs for breakfast, he said, "Boy, was I ever mad at you Mom, when I woke up!" He went on to tell me that he had a dream, and in it I was leaving, and he kept telling me to come back to get him, and I wouldn't.
Think this had anything to do with his leaving for school?????
All of the images here are just wonderful Gail!
Oh, and one more thing...
ReplyDeleteSure hpoe you got those gators out of your room!!! :-)
What a dream, Gail! At most times I don't remember my dreams, but mostly they are connected to something I was thinking over and over again, going on in my dreams then.
ReplyDeletePhotography also helps me focusing on beautiful things and escaping stressful times and problems. I LOVE your sunsets - fantastic photos!
First your sunset photographs are just breathtaking. I loved seeing them. I think I enjoyed the analysis of your dream as much as the post. I love interpreting dreams. Hope the stress passes and peaceful dreams return.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeletesorry you had such a stressful dream of the alligators trying to devour your son. Texwis Girl's comment is interesting.
My recurring dream is that I didn't finish college...that i didn't have the credits and had to keep going and going. Well I did finish but why do I have that dream? I don't know.
Prayers for you and your son,
♥charlotte
Belle,
ReplyDeleteYou constantly inspire me with your ability to not only capture the moment in photography, but to also understand the true substance of our lives.
GW
Girl, that's a pretty spectacular sunset, if ya ask me! WoW! ;)
ReplyDeleteI used to have quite a few dreams about snakes, but not for several years, now... guess the devil gave up on me! YaY mE! =)
happy week