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Dream Interpreter AI™

2/28/2025

A Return from a Journey

I moved back in with my parents as an adult about 25 years ago, but my mother died a year and a half ago. My father is disabled, and in the last years of my mother's life, she and I worked closely together, taking care of my father and many other chores.
Last night I dreamt that she had simply returned and was talking to me about practical matters. Soon after, I was standing in the hallway and could hear her voice coming from her study. She was on the phone with one of her friends, an older woman with whom I haven't had much contact since my mother's death. In the dream, I didn't remember my mother dying at all. It was as if she had returned from a journey.

I moved back in with my parents as an adult about 25 years ago, but my mother died a year and a half ago. My father is disabled, and in the last years of my mother's life, she and I worked closely together, taking care of my father and many other chores. Last night I dreamt that she had simply returned and was talking to me about practical matters. Soon after, I was standing in the hallway and could hear her voice coming from her study. She was on the phone with one of her friends, an older woman with whom I haven't had much contact since my mother's death. In the dream, I didn't remember my mother dying at all. It was as if she had returned from a journey.

Dreams involving deceased loved ones often carry a deep emotional significance and can reflect our subconscious processing of grief, memories, and the changes in our lives. In your dream, the presence of your mother and the activities you shared suggest a strong longing for connection and support, especially given the pivotal role she played in your life prior to her passing.

  1. Return of the Mother Figure: Your mother's return in the dream signifies a desire for her guidance, comfort, and wisdom during what is likely a challenging time for you. This encounter can reflect your subconscious wish that she were still around to help you deal with your current responsibilities and feelings of grief following her death. It may symbolize a need for reassurance as you navigate life without her.

  2. Practical Matters: The practical discussions highlight the continued importance of the roles you played together. This aspect of the dream might indicate that you still carry the lessons she imparted and that you crave the nurturing energy she provided. Your mind may be seeking ways to channel the strength and practicality she exhibited during her life, especially as you tend to your father and manage ongoing responsibilities.

  3. The Hallway and Voice from the Study: Hallways often symbolize transitions and new phases in life. The act of standing in the hallway represents your current state of being at a crossroads, perhaps caught between holding onto the past and embracing your present circumstances. Hearing her voice—a symbol of comfort and familiarity—emanating from her study reinforces the idea that she still occupies a significant place in your heart and mind. It suggests that while her physical presence is absent, her influence and love persist.

  4. The Phone Call: The phone call to an older friend may indicate that you are subconsciously seeking connections with those who share your memories of her or who represent maternal qualities. This signifies a yearning for continuity in the web of relationships that tie you to your mother and a desire for community support, which is essential during times of loss. Furthermore, the idea that you didn’t remember her passing illustrates the complexity of grief. It can manifest as an escape from reality, where your mind momentarily allows you to relive comforting memories without the pain of her absence.

  5. Overall Emotional Processing: Overall, this dream can be seen as a healing process. Your mother reappearing may be your mind’s way of actively working through the feelings of loss and redefining your identity in a world without her. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging your grief, allowing you to reminisce about the supportive relationship you had while also suggesting that the love and lessons shared can still be sources of strength for you.

In conclusion, this dream serves as a gentle reminder that while your mother may no longer be physically present, her spirit and the values she instilled in you are still alive. Embrace these memories and the sense of comfort they provide as you continue your journey, honoring her legacy in your ongoing role as a caregiver and individual.