The Nightmare That Saved Me

I had a dream that my mother died. Vivid and detailed — I was at the hospital, watching the doctors try to revive her. I woke up in a cold sweat at 3 AM.\n\nI called my mother.\n\n"Hello?" She sounded groggy.\n\n"Mom, I'm so sorry."\n\n"What? For what? Are you okay?"\n\n"I had a dream you died. And I realized I haven't told you I love you in months."\n\nLong pause. Then: "I love you too, sweetheart. And I'm always here."\n\nWe talked for an hour that night. About everything and nothing.\n\nThat dream changed my relationship with my mother. I call her every week now. I tell her I love her every single time.\n\nSometimes our deepest fears are gifts in disguise. They wake us up to what matters.