The Nightmare

Night before last, I had a nightmare about my mother in law.

No, my mother in law is not a nightmare.  Not at all. But I've been having various nightmares in the last 6 months or so, after years of not having them at all.

I have a lot on my mind.

I believe I blogged about my mother in law, who is in her 80's, and the fact that she has fallen several times in the past few years.  She also suffered a small stroke a little over 3 years ago.  She fell last in January, and sprained her ankle, after having a dizzy spell in the bathroom.  Fortunately one of her children was in the house, and she was able to get assistance after he heard her calls.  (she had one of the medical alarm pendants, but was not wearing it.)

As far as I know, she hasn't driven since the fall because of swelling, pain, and mobility issues, combined with the condition of roads where she lives (heavier than normal snowfall, huge piles of snow blocking visibility, roads narrowed more than usual).  She's been without a car for a couple of weeks, but is supposed to be leasing a new car later this week.  Anyway, to the dream....

She was visiting up here.  We were at a local park, a park where I've spent lots of time over the years.  In the dream, we were in her car, and she wanted to show us that she could still drive.  I was in the back seat.  She started the car and almost immediately was going way too fast - before she went too far she lost control and we were off the road and on the grass, going quickly to - where?  I was terrified we were going to hit either a tree or a picnic table. (in real life, those would have been hazards, but we also could have ended up in the Chenango River.)  But after a few anxious seconds she was able to stop the car.  We didn't hit anything or anyone.

At that point I woke up, heart pounding.

I don't think I need a dream interpreter to figure out what caused this nightmare, and what I am worrying about.

We'll just have to see.  Me and so many other children and in laws in my shoes.