Excerpted Inspirations #159Linda Odhner, with photos by Liz KufsJan 2, 20250 min readUpdated: Feb 10, 2025
![[Brandun’s Uncle Eadric has recently died, and Brandun sees him in a dream.]
Everything was spectacularly vivid. He could make out every leaf on a towering tree he stood beneath, and could feel a tickle of grass under his feet. He could sense his heart beating, and hear his breath as it accompanied the rustle of leaves in a breeze. The earth smelled rich and fruitful, and into this dream walked a person. It took barely a moment for Brandun to recognize him, to feel the rush of joy, and to run full speed toward him.
“Eadric!”
Barreling into his uncle’s broad chest, he threw his arms around Eadric’s living, breathing body, and felt the wonderful laughter shake him once again.
“You’ve come back!” Brandun exclaimed.
“You would be amazed,” Eadric told him, clapping him on the back, “how close I stay to you.”
Brandun looked up into Eadric’s face. It was undoubtedly Eadric’s, but the skin was smooth, the hair and beard a dark chestnut brown.
“You’re young!” Brandun commented in surprise, and Eadric laughed heartily.
“Of course,” he responded. “No one remains old here.”
Brandun looked into Eadric’s blue-green eyes as, without words, the two continued to communicate. Thoughts flew from one mind to the other, conveying messages much more quickly and fully than words ever could. Eadric told of the place where he now lived, in the world after death, where real life began, and everything made sense.
How can I be here now? Brandun wondered. Eadric explained that every person’s spirit lives in both worlds simultaneously, but that only after death would the eyes of his spirit fully open to this spiritual world, and stay open. Until then, one might have glimpses now and then, but no more.
Brandun told of Kempe’s pain, and of his need for Eadric. Eadric assured him that he was staying near Kempe as well, since Kempe had fully realized his need for a closeness between them. I’ll be with Kempe tonight too, Eadric communicated with a smile.
Brandon sensed their visit coming to an end, and clung tighter to Eadric. Eadric took Brandun’s face in his hands and spoke. “Yes, Brandun,” he said gently. “Our visit must end for now. Since you still live in the physical world, we cannot speak like this for long. But I am with you every time you think of me. Brandun felt strength flow into him from Eadric’s hands. His panic quieted, and he nodded.
“Before you go,” Eadric went on, “I want you to look over there.” He pointed to a field of flowers, where a man and a woman stood in the distance. Brandun couldn’t make out their faces, but as he looked at them, he felt a new love expanding in his chest. The love was coming from them.
Who are they? Brandun wondered, and Eadric answered his thought.
Your mother and father. You cannot see them clearly because you do not know them now. But they know and love you and have watched you grow. You will know them one day.
The scene faded, and Brandun found himself staring up into a night sky filled with stars, his face wet with tears. He sighed deeply and didn’t move, trying to hang on to the feeling of the dream. Crickets sang in soft rhythm, and the wind whispered soothingly.
Karin Alfelt Childs, The Temple of Wisdom (1997), pp. 126-128
[Continued next week]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6feacf_dfaa08961dd74b94a54bd54f227041da~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_2892,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6feacf_dfaa08961dd74b94a54bd54f227041da~mv2.jpg)
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