From Marvin:

I have been in the Army now for 16 years. I spend a lot of time away from home and so I use the telephone to stay in touch with my family.

In 1995 I received a phone call that my mother had just passed away. I could hardly believe it; I had just spoken to her a couple of weeks before. We were very close.

I left for home right away. After the funeral my wife and I were driving back to Texas where I was stationed. My wife was doing the driving which allowed me to fall asleep. While I was sleeping I had a dream that I was talking on the phone to my mother. She told me that she was sorry that she didn't have a chance to say goodbye. She told me that she loved me, and that I should tell Carol (my sister) that yes she did see the funeral and it was beautiful and that she was surprised that so many people showed up.

Then she told me that she would not be able to talk to me again. I told her that I loved her and would miss her dearly. In my dream I hung up the phone.

As I hung up the phone I woke up! I told my sister what our mom said in my dream. My sister explained that she was wishing mom could see what she had done for her funeral.

I really feel like I spoke to my mother that night and since then have felt much relief that she isn't really gone - she's just not here!