About a year ago I had this really horrifying dream. I was on the steps at my local parish and this woman approached me and told me, “You are going to lose your daughter when you are in your thirties.” I was so frightened I woke up crying and my husband told me I was crying and talking in my sleep saying “NO.” I do remember at the end of the dream I saw my father and told him what the woman had told me and he stated (I was still dreaming) “Don’t believe what you heard, everything you hear isn’t the truth.” I still am very worried about the dream and wonder if this may be some type of premonition. I recently read (in a tabloid magazine) that dreams indicating what may be in store for children are true.

Please respond, as I have only one daughter and worry about her constantly. I’m also 31.

-Jeannine, Age 31, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Hi Jeannine -

Take 5 deep breaths and relax! Your dream reflects a deeply held, absolutely normal fear shared by all parents - that they might one day lose a child. I think the fact that your dream takes place on the parish steps coincides with the premonitory aspect of the dream - we often expect the church or religions to be able to “divine” the future for us - especially with regard to the afterlife. Accordingly, the dream appears to be representing your fear in almost a magical or awesome type of setting - as if it was a communication from the gods.

In your dream report you write that you worry about your daughter “constantly.” I genuinely believe that the first part of your dream is nothing more than a representation of this daily fear you hold for your daughter’s well-being. You are worried about her, which is natural, and so you dream about her safety - and your fears. In no way do I believe that the dream is psychic, precognitive, or a communication from spirit.

I find it significant that your father appears in the dream and warns you of listening to this woman’s words. He tells you “don’t believe what you heard - everything you hear isn’t the truth,” and I think your father, in this regard, is right on target. He is giving you sound advice. I believe the advice this dream is trying to give you is the same. Try not to listen so much to those voices of fear that sound in your head. Be practical and wise about your daughter’s safety. There’s no reason not be optimistic about her future - and yours.