[IrisBloom]

I've had these dreams repeatedly for years. There is some variation sometimes, but generally the same theme. I can't figure them out, I've analyzed them over and over and come to no conclusions. I'd like to hear what others think.

1. I graduated from high school (IRL). *I dream that I am still in high school, and know that I've already graduated in the dream. Sometimes I am alone, and some times my children are with me. They are grown now, but small in my dream. Sometimes I'm wandering around the school looking for my locker or a class, or running to catch the bus home, or walking around the library. I never find my class, or locker or catch the bus.* It's not sad or disturbing, just makes me wonder what's going on in my brain. lol

2. My older brother passed away 30 years ago. (sui). I wasn't very close to him emotionally or geographically. We talked now and then on the phone, but I hadn't seen him for about 10 years. *In my dream he is alive and comes and finds us and he had faked his death. Everything is normal, he just picks up where he left off. We go around telling everyone who thought he was dead that he is alive.* Nothing disturbing here either, I miss him and wish he was still here, but I don't think about it much.

I have both of these dreams maybe 3-4 times a year, and have for probably 20 years.

* beginning and end of dream

[tealBumblebee]

I don't know much about dreams, but I do think (100%) that they are significant. Especially recurrent dreams. My T and I process my own and they can be pretty deep once we get a better understanding of them. I can't vouch for the validity of it all but here's some stuff from the dream sight I use that may be relevant.

School:

...To dream that you are in school signifies feelings of inadequacy and childhood insecurities that have never been resolved. It may relate to anxieties about your performance and abilities.

...Alternatively, a dream that takes place in school may be a metaphor for the lessons that you are learning from your waking life. You may be going through a "spiritual learning" experience.

...To dream that you are running away from school means that you are not being receptive to new ideas and viewpoints. You have not learned from your past mistakes.

...To dream that your childhood school is in ruins suggests that you are dwelling on some unresolved childhood issue. Alternatively, the dream represents the passage of time. You need to look toward the future instead of reliving the past

Death:

...If you dream of a person who has died a long time ago, then it suggests that a current situation or relationship in your life resembles the quality of that deceased person. The dream may depict how you need to let this situation or relationship die and end it.

...Dreams can also be a way for you to keep loved ones who have past away alive and still be in some aspect of your life. You are still trying to grasp the notion that he or she is really gone

...To see your dead sibling, relative, or friend alive in your dream indicates that you miss them and are trying to relive your old experiences you had with them. In trying to keep up with the pace of your daily waking life, your dreams may serve as your only outlet in coping and coming to terms with the loss of a loved one.

[IrisBloom]

Wow, Teal, that makes a lot of sense. My teen years were pretty much the hardest, as I was having severe panic attacks at night and sleep problems. Had no idea what was going on. I do feel that I didn't have the childhood that I should have, so maybe that's what is coming out. And my brother, I like to think it's my way of keeping him alive.