Are you aware of the oasis in your mind? Close your eyes. I'll take you there.

[Bill Cady]

HIDING IN DREAMS

Sometimes, when we desperately need a refuge, the best place to hide is a dream. The daytime sort. They can be great spots to ride out a storm. Let’s face it, boys and girls, a whole lot of the crap we have to face every day wasn’t revealed to us when we began the process of “growing up”. Had I only known, I’d've tried like crazy to stunt my growth. Would’ve denied it whenever someone said it was my birthday. (Okay, I guess it was only Mom who ever reminded me, but still …). Maybe I would’ve even put off learning to “like” certain things: smoking, drinking, sex, cuss words.

Come to think about it, scratch the “maybe” from what I just said. If I’d known what it all “costs”, end run, I would’ve skipped that collection entirely.

Still, slipping off for a few minutes into reverie is refreshing. Rinses the personality and mood, if you will. Example: my #1 problem these days is money. Some might think it’s the lung cancer diagnosis, which would only mean you haven’t “listened” to my blog posts. Not only do I not give the north end of a southbound rat if I die, it may very well be a welcome relief. Yet, to slide away in my thoughts for a momentary respite, allowing my imagination to frolic, makes me feel better.

A few have recently asked for my address. Snail mail, not e-mail. Of course, since they aren’t serving papers on me, (except for a mentally unbalanced lawyer, but that’s not until August 1^st, and I may be dead by then), I gave it to ‘em. {EDITOR’S NOTE: The Court awarded her $400 which, since I’m dying, she’ll collect the Johnny Mathis way … on the 12th of Never}.  As far as giving folks my mailing address, when I wander into Reverie City, I imagine what might be coming my way. A hundred bucks? A grand? Heck, if it’s only a dream, why not imagine ten grand? Can’t hurt, and there’s no rule against it.

When I snap out of it, anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes later, I feel better. It lets me lighten my mood a little. That puts me in better condition to deal with the grief of an unpleasantry known as “Life”. I’ve learned by experience just a little money, not even enough to pay the way out, but a start, changes my entire attitude and perspective on everything in my life. Including the future I face or don’t face.

So, why even put a cap on it? I imagine $1,000 … then $10,000, maybe more. It all depends on how much emotional relief I need when I use that resource. A dream can be a sheltered place to recoup.

Keep in mind, a traveler camps at an oasis, he doesn’t settle there. He enjoys what he finds, rests up and moves on, but his trip is made better because of that stop. As a simple example, you can be an oasis to a weary traveler trekking his way through the barren desert of homelessness and get out of it for ten or twenty bucks.

I’m just sayin’.

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