Immogene struggled to wake up. Her legs were still slightly jerking beneath the bed sheet. Cassie Cat crept from her spot at the foot of the bed and stretched out on top of Immogene's chest. Two velvety orange paws gently patting her face. When Immogene's eyes flew open, Cassie Cat began purring softly as she kneaded her owner's chest.
"Cassie Cat, stop that! You know you're supposed to stay at the foot of the bed!" The words were cross, but Immogene's voice smiled. Cassie Cat had brought back some much needed normalcy to the start of Immogene's day, especially after that disturbing early morning dream.
She could see sunlight filtering in through her partially closed window shades. This was the third morning that she had dreamed the same dream. It came just before sun up and was always the same. She recalled every detail. There she was, walking down the hallway of a large apartment building. On either side were doors, some were tightly closed, others swung open as people moved in and out of their rooms. She was anxiously looking for her name plate on on of the doors. Somewhere on that floor was her own apartment and she couldn't find it. She asked people who passed by if they could direct her. None of them could help. They didn't even know her name. She was getting a little frantic searching to find the place where she belonged. If she could only see her name posted on a door, she could use the key in her pocket to open it. An old gentleman came by, stopped beside her and said, "Remember, when you find the door you must open it and go inside."
Each of the three mornings of the dream she woke up to find Cassie Cat purring on her chest. The old man's words echoed in her mind. He said she must open the door and go inside. What could that mean? Was this merely a nonsensical dream? Or was someone trying to tell her something? - Would the dream ever stop repeating itself? Would she find the right door, unlock it, and step over the threshold? What would she discover once inside her room?
Cassie Cat jumped down off the bed, meowing and looking expectantly at Immogene. With insistent meows she told her it was time to get up, get dressed, go down stairs and fix their breakfast.
"Cassie Cat, you're a bossy lady" Immogene said. "But that makes two of us. I'm thinking of some of my Blueberry pancakes this morning and a couple of homemade sausages. If you're good I'll give you a sausage along with a saucer of half and half cream. Lucky cat. You sure picked a good home when you came strolling in here as a scrawny little kitten five years ago."
You've just read the first chapter of a book I'm writing, a romantic novel about "Love, fidelity, and an unexpected romance that can enrich "old age". The inspiration for the book came from a dream. Like "Immogene" that identical dream disturbed my slumber 3 nights in a week. It had such an emotional impact and was such a great motivator, a story began to form in my mind. So, watch your dreams. Write them down. You may get a Pulitzer prize, or become America's next Poet Laureate! Obviously God sends the same dream three times for a reason.
