I had this dream the other night about this guy that I was very emotionally involved with (until I moved away). I don’t usually dream about people I know, and this dream was awfully strange.

In my dream, my friend and I were at my school and every day we had a class out in the soccer fields (which don’t have any nets right now) and it was unusually warm for where I live. And every day he would leave something behind. Some days it was a shoe and one day a stereo...and many other things.

Every day I stayed behind and picked up these things, and a few days I just slept on the fields so I didn’t have to carry these things (the field is very large).

I really love/loved this guy, and I haven’t seen him in a year. I haven’t been involved with anyone else since then, but he was. I still talk to him on a regular basis though and don’t quite know how I feel about him right now.

- Mandie, Age 16, Sault, MI, USA

Hi Mandie -

I can’t think of a clearer dream metaphor for “holding on” to the “things” left behind by a lover. First it was a shoe, then a stereo, and some times you waited day and night (slept on the field) in order to pick up tomorrow’s leftovers.

Are you holding on to a relationship that is over? Or is your ex purposely leaving these reminders of himself behind - because he’s afraid to let go? If you think - in your heart of hearts - that the relationship is over, then you need to leave those objects behind on the field - it’s not your business anymore. If you think your ex is trying to keep you holding on - then you better think about that as well. You two are friends - but your relationship is still blurry. Are you friends or lovers?

If he’s not ready right now to start going out again - then I think you have to quit waiting around. As soon as you stop looking back, you will meet a great guy in your future!