Greyeyes, how wonderful that your mother sent a message via someone that listened!
Several years ago I dreamed I was back in high school. I was talking on the phone with my friend when I suddenly remembered: "Rhonda, you're dead!" She had died just days prior to her 30th birthday, which disturbed me because I'm almost two months older. The dream disolved away and everything was very white. "Don't you know? I can visit the people I love any time I want!!!" I passed along her message as I belive she wanted.
I've talked to two friends after their suicides. The first was the day after. I passed along his message to his widow, then later mailed her a book because he asked. (That's a whole story by itself!) The second guy showed up in my dream about a year after he died by his own hand. I realized who I was speaking to and said, "Some of us are really angry at you for taking the coward's way out." He said, "I know. That's why I'm visiting you all to say I'm sorry." He smiled the best smile at me and added, "and I'm no longer in pain!"
Those that have passed on are not in pain. They are doing fine, they're in Heaven, for God's sake!
Within the last year I had a dream where my mother in law introduced me to her father. Grandpa told me a couple of stories while he held his daughter's hand. They shared a couple of jokes that went right over my head, then Grandpa told us his wife was watching over their other daughter (who was currently in the hospital). He explained that it wasn't neccessarily time for her to die, but no matter what they would be present to welcome their last two living children to Heaven when it was time. I hesitated to pass along the dream messages to mother in law, but DH encouraged me to tell her. My mother in law was thrilled! From the hand holding to the insider jokes, she knew what it all meant! Her sister is still with us and my MIL flew back to Japan to see her the month after my dream.
Sometimes it's nice to be the messenger.