It happens at sixteen
Ever have one of those dreams that you can’t just shake out of your head? I had one of those last night. It was so real and actually sort of funny – not, “haha” funny, but the sort of funny where you hope it was a joke because, if not, then something is way messed up – like Fargo messed up. Anyway the dream went something like this.
Steve and I decide to buy this decrepit farmhouse. The siding was rough wood, sort of like a barn might have, but stained dark. The front door was huge and was accessible from the street while the back of the house seemed built up high on what seemed like stilts. The yard below had toys and debris strewn about here and there. The property went on for miles, the boundary hidden by a small wooded area. I suppose this must have been our “dream home.”
Steve and I bought a house sort of like this one
The interior was vast with raised ceilings. The previous owners had left the house filled with their possessions. This place was a treasure trove of furniture, kitchen ware, knick-knacks, not to mention fashion accessories.
Maybe the house itself isn’t so odd or unusual. I’m sure we’ve all had dreams about crazy places that we were living in, but this dream was more than that. It was full of people from my church.
This is when things get weird. I am sorting through children’s toys. In the corner of the main living space was a toy kitchenette and an assortment of plastic pink tea cups and plates. Jell-O jiggler molds were strewn among the tea set. I turn to Dr. Hugs who suggests that I dispose of the tea set. I state that I am going to keep these things for young girls that come over to play since we purchased this place for ministry.
Joel and I continue to sort through vast amounts of crap. It is exhausting. Next thing I know, Kat comes in the room with a catalogue or pamphlet. She begins to page through it, showing Joel what she has selected. I ask what they need.
Kat says, “A new heart for Joel.” They are calm and jovial as they page through the booklet.
Kathryn helps Joel get a new heart.
I am a bit confused, even worried, but I don’t ask any questions. They seemed to be really having a good time picking out his new heart. I figure that heart shopping must be normal.
A hoard of boys, led by Wonder, comes rushing down the staircase and floods into the kitchen. Like grasshoppers, they devour whatever they can find. As quickly as they entered the kitchen, they leave headed for the backyard. I barely raise an eyebrow to this chaotic event. Focused, I continue to sort through all this crap.
Ms. Wonder and I are now going through Christmas ornaments and decorations. She asks if she can take I few of the items home. “No problem.” I reply.
Then, a shopping cart full of handbags rolls by and I run to see what is being removed from the house. Amy, Mel, Andie and Kat are making a quick exit for the front door. I rush to the door to bar their exit.
“What is going on here?” I demand. One of the women tells me that they need these bags, “It’s a matter of life and death.” they clamor. I counter that these items are going to be sold for ministry and if anyone gets to take a bag it will be me. (Okay, clearly I am a bit narcissistic.)
Then Amy chimes in, “You can’t even name the designer of any of these bags.”
Who knew I could name a handbag design?
Steve enters and says the girls can take them if they want and I go ballistic, “Vera Wang!” I shout. “That is a Vera Wang bag and no one is keeping any of this stuff for themselves – not without paying for it.” I am so angry at everyone at this point.
Joel approaches me and begins to whisper something in my ear. I don’t understand what he said except that something will happen at sixteen. I am so confused by that because what does that even mean. What does he want me to do at “sixteen?”
Suddenly, there is a knock at the front door and a woman who looks a lot like one of the Golden Girls enters the vast living room. She is outraged by the ruckus caused by the numerous teenagers and also annoyed by their cars parked in the grassy lawn. I try to explain that we moved into this old farmhouse in order to do ministry and that they boys were welcomed on our property.
I was again confused how she was able to hear anything since her place was across this stream from our place, not to mention that she looked so aged. She was adamant that we cease the commotion or pay a price.
Meanwhile, Joel keeps tapping at his watch and mumbling something about sixteen. Sixteen what? He insists that something big is going down at “sixteen.” Next thing I know, Nicole is high tailing it down to the yard with a crate full of holiday decor. I just throw my hands up into the air. Everyone is too caught up with the stuff and the details. I have lost all semblence of control. Somehow the “big picture” has been lost – that being that this place was for ministry and that we were going to sell these things to run the place. I surrender.
I look up and Joel’s arm is extended, his watch is placed in my line of vision. “Sixteen,” he reminds me.
“Huh, Okay?” I stammer.
Can anyone tell me what happens at 16?
My alarm interrupts. The farmhouse vanishes and with it the ridiculous behavior of our Home Church. I’m sure it really doesn’t mean any thing important, yet it was so vivid. I ponder my apparent surrender. I’m okay with that.
One thing though is bugging me. I can’t figure out why. Does anyone know what will happen at sixteen?