Thank you for sharing this story. The comfort in seeing those in dreams that we love so dearly in life is indescribable, I only wish I would have experienced it more than once. This story is long, but considering its the 5 year anniversary of my grandmother's passing, I really feel like sharing this with you. TL;DR at the bottom if you want to skip the details.
I was 18 the year my grandmother, "Nana", lost her battle with lymphoma. In her more lively years, Nana was a vibrant person who always wore bright colours and costume jewelry. She spoke loudly and freely, making friends with anyone she met. She was also well known for colouring her hair different colours, depending on the holiday. After she lost her hair, she took to tying bright coloured handkerchiefs around her naked head.
In November of 2009 she moved in with our family (my mother, stepfather, older brother and myself) so that we could be closer to her in her last months, and help out with the daily tasks that came with caring for someone with a terminal illness. She moved into the room at the top of the stairs, which was directly next to mine.
One evening, weeks before she passed away, she went into a very hazy state. She was still talkative but her movements were slow, and not much of what she said made much sense anymore. In this time I found comfort in writing poems for her beside her bed and reading them aloud, I knew I had to say goodbye. She was able to express to us that she wanted to die comfortable in her bed, surrounded by her family.
She went to sleep one night shortly after, and did not wake again the next morning. She was still alive, but her breathing was shallow and she was no longer responsive. At this time, as a family we decided to take round-the-clock shifts, to ensure that if Nana woke up, she certainly would not be alone in her last responsive moments.
Sadly, this never happened and she passed away two weeks later. Naturally I was devastated and unable to sleep in that house for 3 weeks, instead I stayed at my best friend's house down the road.
The first night I returned home I was really unable to sleep. I spent hours in our family room watching reruns, trying to distract myself. I decided I should go upstairs and at least try to sleep in my bed. Nana and I had always joked about my belief yet complete fear of the paranormal and in turn agreed that she would never come back to "haunt me" after her death. As I am walking stairs to my room, I think to myself that I wished I had never said that to her, I missed her and wanted to feel her near me.
It's almost like as soon as I finish this thought in my head, I feel a rush of warm air and the smell of Nana's perfume fills my nose. I can't help but smile because I know she is there. (Note: there is no windows in our hallway, just bedroom doors. My mom closed her door after she passed because it was too difficult to walk by every day, my door was closed because I don't allow our cat or dogs in there unsupervised.)
That night, after finally falling asleep, I dreamt of her. I dream that I am in a convenience store, perusing the shelfs for candy and whatever else. When I suddenly look up, and my Nana is standing directly to my right staring right at me and smiling. She is dressed in all black, with a black handkerchief tied around her head, I don't know why but this detail kind of bothers me. I don't remember if I speak first or if she does, but I do remember her grabbing my right hand and telling me that she is more than okay, that she is happy and that I need to make sure i'm around to help my Mom through this. I tell her I understand and that I miss her, she just smiles and says she has to go.
After this I immediately wake up. I am sad to say that I have not seen or felt my Nana around me in our world or in the dream world since. I still think about her every day.
TL;DR After my grandmother passes from lymphoma, I think about wanting to feel her around me when i feel her and smell her perfume. That night I dream about her and she tells me she is okay and that I need to be around to help my mother through her grief.