I had a very disturbing dream early this morning and am having a hard time shaking it. I dreamed that my sons were still little and that my youngest had decided to live on his own (he looked to be about 2 years old, but had the personality and mental capacity of an adult). I didn't see him very much- I'd only see him when I caught him trying to 'steal' the peanuts we'd thrown out for the squirrels and jays.

In this dream, I finally got him to talk to me and I begged him to come back home and live in the house. He was filthy and emaciated and I was really upset. My oldest son (who looked to be about six and also had the personality and mental capacity of an adult), came outside and convinced his brother to come in the house.

Somehow in the middle of all of this, my ex-husband's mother came to visit and made a huge mess in my kitchen. She even cracked eggs into some of my kitchen drawers. What was THAT about?

Ha! I'll bet you think that's the most disturbing part! Well, it wasn't. It was simply worth mentioning, because it's seems weird that this would also be a part of the dream.

After I got my ex-husband's mother situated in the family room, my two sons came out to greet her. The youngest had gone in and showered and was neatly groomed.

I remember being very happy that my son was finally home, but then suddenly, he disappeared again- only this time he took my oldest son with him.

The only thing I can think of that would spur on this kind of dream is that I was whining (for lack of a better word)last night at dinner that my sons, ages 23 and 25, live an hour away from me and I wished they lived closer.

Even though I know that dream isn't real and my sons are both grown men, it's still hard to shake that image of my youngest being a filthy emaciated toddler that refused to live in the house.

I mean, really, what would the neighbors think?