# Summary

In a vivid dream, the narrator and his wife Nora find an ideal, self-sustaining home in the woods, symbolizing hope amidst the challenges of Nora's real-life illness and prolonged hospitalization.

# Abstract

The narrator recounts a dream where his wife Nora, full of energy and reminiscent of their youth, excitedly shows him a perfect, affordable house nestled on three acres of pristine woods. This home, complete with a separate studio or guest house and a guarantee of privacy, represents an idyllic life where they can enjoy nature with their dogs and live without the stress of Nora's chronic illness. The dream's vividness and the contrast with Nora's actual condition—immobilized and often asleep for days—highlights the emotional toll on the narrator, who yearns for a sign that Nora's condition might improve. The dream serves as a poignant reminder of their love and the life they wish to lead, away from hospitals and the strain of the illness.

# Opinions

- The narrator views the dream as a potential sign of hope and relief from the hardships caused by Nora's illness.
- The dream reflects the narrator's desire for a return to normalcy, health, and the joyous aspects of their marriage that have been overshadowed by Nora's condition.
- The narrator deeply misses the vitality and independence that Nora once had, which is vividly restored in the dream.
- The dream house symbolizes the couple's wish for a peaceful, private life where they can be their true selves, away from the confines of a hospital.
- The narrator feels a profound sense of loss and worry when Nora falls into deep sleeps, fearing she might have passed away.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

This was another one that seemed more than just a dream

My wife Nora ran up to me excitedly. She was trim and lovely, just like when we first met. She took my hand.

“You’ve got to see!” she exclaimed, “I’ve found the place!”

The one-story house was on three acres of lovely woods, with newly trimmed emerald grass on spongy, resilient turf. The trees were mature and healthy. The sky was clear, with no trace of pollution or drought.

There was a smaller second house, which could be repurposed as a studio or a guest house.

This place was self-sustaining and private. The guarantee was clear: No one else would be coming here, unless we wanted them to. The weather would always be whatever we wished, also.

When she told me the monthly cost was even less than we were paying for our apartment, I said, “Yes! This is where I want to live! Call them and say we’ll take it immediately!”

We walked all over the property, to the lovely hilltop at the back of the woods and the clean black country road down beyond it. Our dogs, Muffin and Augie, joined us, enjoying the walk and approving the place as much as we did.

“You know,” Nora said, all excited knowing that a new set of dishes was on its way from Amazon, “We’re going to have to buy new furniture and move everything around ourselves.”

“That’s okay,” I said, “We have plenty of energy. Only…” I moved to stand right in front of her. “Only…”

“Yes?” she said.

“You have to understand,” I said carefully, not quite sure of what I was trying to express, “You have to understand how hard it is on me when you fall asleep in your hospital bed for twenty-four hours or more, and I watch your breathing so closely, and sometimes it’s so shallow that I’m not sure you haven’t already died.”

“Yes,” she said, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“I mean, it’s fine that you’re all full of piss and vinegar now, and can walk like an Olympian; but in that other place, where you haven’t been out of bed for six months and couldn’t even stand up, let alone walk…I mean…I just mean…I don’t know how much more of that I can take.”

“I understand,” she said. “It isn’t easy on me, either.”

“Of course not, but if only you could give me some sort of heads-up if you’re okay, or if anything is going to change…”

“I wish I could!” She took my hand again. “Look…I think maybe this is a sign that we don’t have too much more of that to put up with.”

“You are so delightful here. You remind me of why I wanted to marry you. We’ve been stuck in that other place for so long, and have rubbed each other the wrong way so many times, that I had almost forgotten.”

“Me too. But this is who I really am. This is who you really are. And this is why Augie and Muffin are here, too.”

It was true. And this was what we really had always wanted.