Sharks

For the last few years, I've had recurrent dreams about sharks. It always starts off I'm at the beach, enjoying a nice day and then right before I dip into the water I start seeing them. They always appear as shadows at first, slowly revealing their shape until the dread sets in, sharks. Not again brain. Can't I even enjoy a relaxing wade in the sea in a safe place like my own head? Who am I kidding, as a long time anxiety sufferer, my head has never been much of a safe place.

So last night, like other nights I began to dream I was at the beach. One of the tropical variety, with a white sand beach, little cabanas and crystal clear water. Right off the bat, it was different than my typical beach dream as the beaches are never nearly so inviting. But right on time, per usual as I began to dip my toe into the warm water, I spotted the first shadow. Just like that, the once inviting water, turned deadly. The weird thing is, everyone else at the beach is still in the water. Nobody seems to care about the looming danger despite my warnings. So I sit doubting my own fear, wishing I could get in too, trying to convince myself they're not dangerous because, "Look, nobody else is scared". Except, last night, something different happened. After years of this dream being the same, we had a breakthrough. I'm not sure the significance of the who but the what was astounding. As I sat on the edge of the water, peering in, my mom sat beside me, assuring me. My stepdad walked up from behind me, reached right into the water and grabbed at a shadow. Pulling it up to the waters surface and revealing the truth. What I'd thought was a man eating monster all along, was no bigger than the palm of his hand. I waded into the warm water, with the fish swimming all around me and.. here's the finisher, I WAS NOT SCARED.