I had a brief DeForest Kelley dream this morning. It was reassuring and poignant. And perfect timing for what I’m about to go through.

 

In the dream, my niece Jamie (who was just 8 or 9 in the dream, although she is over 21 these days) and I were going to see a retro Star Trek movie with the original cast in it. The cast was wearing what they wore in the final Star Trek movie that they all did together (The Undiscovered Country).

 

Jamie and I arrived late for the start for the movie, so we were directed down a long curving hallway toward the back of the theater so our arrival wouldn’t inconvenience the people who were already enjoying the show.

 

The curve of the hallway reminded me of the curve in an Enterprise corridor.  Because Jamie was unfamiliar with Star Trek, she didn’t share the reminiscence and she trotted ahead and around the corner.  Coming in the other direction was the entire cast of Star Trek, in their uniforms/costumes.

 

I was flabbergasted, of course, but very happy to see them.  None of them said anything to me or even looked at me until De/”McCoy” passed me. He said, sounding surprised and pleased, “Hi, Kris!”

 

He was past me before I could respond directly to him.

 

Not long after, Jamie and I were eating at the movie food court bar. We had some empty cups, dishes and candy wrappers in front of us. De’s/McCoy’s uniformed arm came across in front of me and started pulling the mess away from my right side.

 

I protested, “I can do that!”  — not wanting him cleaning up my mess — and he (sounding like he was smiling, although I wasn’t looking at him) said, “So can I!”

 

I decided it was his way of showing love or affection.

 

That was the entire dream — short and sweet

 

He was healthy-looking and robust in the hallway, and every bit as kind as he was in real life at the food court bar.

 

I hope to find more of these elusive De types when I get to Costa Rica.

 

But even if I don’t, I will always have De dropping into my dreams to reassure me that I’m cared for/about and never truly alone.

 

I usually sleep on the neck pillow that I loaned to De during his last few months in the hospital prior to his passing.  It was the same pillow my mom used when she was sick, too.  I’m taking it with me to Costa Rica.  I want it to be the last thing I  lay my head on, too…

 

It brings me comfort … and occasional sweet dreams of Mom and De.

 

It’s very special to me.

 

I’ve tucked it into the neck pillow sleeve I’ll have with me on the plane, the one Tracey sent me.

 

DE, MOM and I WILL BE FLYING HIGH

WITH CHARLI AT OUR FEET. 

*SIGH*

Costa Rica, here we come!