The neighbor kid a couple houses down is a cute, hyper 5-year-old who rides a bike with training wheels at 50 mph, plays tee ball, and always needs to blow his nose.  You can't help but like him.  He's got big round eyes and a huge smile.  He'll come around to our house every now and then, ring the doorbell 20 times in a row before I can even get up out of my chair, and when I answer the door he says, "I can't play today!"  

The first time he did this I said, "Hi Josh.  You mean you can play today?"  "No", he said.  "I can't play".  I asked why and he said, "Because we have to go to the store.  Bye!" and off he ran.  

He's done this a few times now, and he always has a reason, a legitimate one.  I never question his reasons.  But I've wondered why he'd come tell me this.  I didn't play with him at all, just would say hi to the little guy as he buzzed past me on his bike.  He always slowed down enough to look me in the eye and smile.  

So really I've never actually asked him why he thought it necessary to come all the way over just to tell me he couldn't play.  I just thought well, he’s a boy.  Who knows what his reasons are, but he must have them.  

He came by again the other day, and this time he said he couldn't play because he had a tee ball game.  Okie doke, I thought as he ran off.  Good to know.  Yeah right...what a weirdo!  But what do I know?  I have no idea what it's like being a 5-year-old boy.  Who knows why they do what they do.

I guess I should have just come out and asked him, while I had the chance, why on earth he does that.  It was really becoming very curious to me and I couldn't help but wonder what his reasons were.  

That night I had a dream, and maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe there really is a connection.  But if it wasn't just coincidence, then I now know why this little fellow comes around to let me know when he can't play with me.  

I haven't been able to remember my dreams lately but I remember this one.  It was a doozie.  I dreamed that Josh wanted me to play.  So I followed him.  Couldn't help but be attracted to his bundle of energy.  I could barely keep up with him as he ran and ran.  We were at some children's play place, one of those huge places with games, and things to climb on, and food, and toys.  We played and ran and ate, and all the while I could barely keep up with him.  This was one of those dreams that had that déjà vu feeling throughout the whole thing.  By the end of the dream I was exhausted.  The last thing I remember is going down some stairs to leave, and telling Josh that I was done for now, couldn't play anymore because I was too tired.  I woke feeling wiped out, but also feeling the déjà vu feeling again.  

I wonder how many times I've had that dream.  Then I wondered if Josh had the same dreams!  If his dreams seem as real to him as this one did to me, maybe that's why he tells me he can't play sometimes.  We do all our playing in our dreams.  

I think there's a strong connection, more notable because it is so strong on Josh's part.  Young kids often seem to be in touch with the non-physical.  Maybe he knows you or is attracted to your many great qualities.  I think you should talk with him if he's open to that.  But, uh, don't ask why he comes to you to tell you he can't play.  Might put him off worded that way.  You'll know what to say.

Your dream was great.  Josh sounds like the perfect dream partner to perhaps get you to play more or in touch with your sense of playfulness.  Us adults get a bit serious at times.  That you awoke tired from the dream is interesting. 

It almost sounds like some of Bruce's descriptions of playing around in different focus levels.  The way you describe the dream strikes me a similar.  I don't remember if any of his experiences left him tired.

Rob