What a lovely thread, even if it is a bit sad. My heart goes out to everyone who loses someone beloved. When I was a teenager I lost a good friend. He had the uncanny knack of always showing up when I needed someone to lean on. Later, during a horrible marriage, I would dream of Jimmie. It was terrible knowing he would never comfort me again until I realized he WAS comforting me - it was the only way he could, in my dreams. After that those dreams were welcomed. About a year after my father died, I was working in my garden. I stood up and saw a yellow butterfly lazily winging right towards my face. I stood still, waiting to see what would happen. When the butterfly got to within 6 inches of my face, it made a turn and flew around my head. As I turned to follow it, my father's face appeared before me. He was so palpably real that I stopped and shouted aloud, "Hello, Daddy!" A huge smile spread across his face, he nodded at me, and then the vision faded away. I was positively skipping the rest of the day and always feel so uplifted - and loved - whenever I think about that moment. We need only wait, be ready, and look for them. They will stop by to say hello.

I recently lost my husband and I look forward to seeing him in such circumstances. Those we love are always with us.

About three weeks after my first husband died ( after a two year bout with colon cancer), I was lying in bed after putting my children to bed, and I was feeling very sad. I still don't know whether it was real or a dream, but he appeared at the foot of the bed, dressed as he often was for work- in slacks and a long sleeved white shirt. He didn't say anything, but he gave me a long gentle hug, and I felt so comforted.

I kept one of his white shirts for a long time, and when I wanted to feel close to him, I would get his shirt out of the closet and be comforted by the feel of it.

This is amazing and I'm reading the thread with tears in my eyes. Several years ago, my mom visited me in a dream about 3 weeks after she died. I was 34 years old and the oldest woman in my family! All the grandparents, parents, and aunts were gone and I was feeling very alone. Her visit let me know that she would always be with me - I just needed to watch for her. Five months later, my mother-in-law died, too. She visited my husband in a dream where he was in the backseat of a car, and she was driving. It was funny because she had never driven before. She turned around to him and just smiled.

Calamari -I lost my mother after a long illness years ago, but the loss always feels sudden. She had travelled extensively before she was married and before she started her family, and I always tried to arrange a little trip for the 2 of us, but we never got the chance. I understand even share your wish - how about repeating it as a mantra before you drift off to sleep. The mind is highly suggestible, after all. It's lovely that you got the chance to go.

What a sweet and touching post.

I'm very into the supernatural/paranormal. I've never had any experiences myself, but many acquaintances of mine have. Fascinating and charming.

I don't want to seem like a wet blanket but I felt I should remind some of you newbies before you share intimate moments that these threads come up in google and other searches.

I was googling the other day and lo and behold up comes my own post from here on Fodors!

I have had lovely moments with departed relatives too, it is very comforting.