First lucid dream about Great-Uncle’s family – Dick & Hulda Humbke

PREAMBLE TO THE LUCID DREAM

What is amazing about this dream of Oct. 1, 2018 is that it was a lucid dream in which I realized I was dreaming and that all the characters and events were a compilation of my past plus what I have learned about the Dick and Hulda Humbke family.

I did have a vague awareness of Dick as my father’s Uncle, but do not consciously remember ever meeting him in person. In fact I am sure that we did meet and that he had a few kind words for his Grand nephew at one of the many family functions we attended. I first really became aware of Dick’s past in early 2016 when I began doing research into Ernest Humbke Sr., my grandfather. My research started in 1999 with a family tree from Dan William (Dick’s grandson) which created in me a desire to know Dick as a living, breathing individual.

I had spent a day with Dick & Huld’s youngest son, Richard of Abbotsford, BC, in 1984 and since 2016 have talked a number of times by phone with his youngest daughter, Dorothy. I read newspaper clippings, heard family stories and studied many family photos over the past two years. For more details on the Dietrich “Dick” Frederick Ernest and Hulda Elizabeth (WICKLAND) HUMBKE family, you can go to Blog #12 at  https://humbke.com.

SETTING FOR THE LUCID DREAM

In July of 1961 I finished one year of teacher training at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and now had a Jr, E certificate which allowed me to teach any subject to grades 1 to 9 in Alberta Schools. I had hitchhiked to Wetaskiwin, AB to meet my parents and 4 younger brothers, watch the Wetaskiwin yearly parade and take in the Fair.

I went to the Driard Hotel in Wetaskiwin and was having a beer with a man who worked for the Wetaskiwin Times Newspaper. I knew that I must be dreaming because I was only 17 years old at the time and the law, requiring individuals found in a beer parlour to be at least 21, was strictly enforced. The reporter asked if I knew any Humbke’s and I was about to say “Yes”, when some of Great-Uncle Dick’s children started coming into the beer parlour with their wives and children. It may have been 1961 in the dream but it was just like being in some present day pubs where families are allowed to bring in their children.

THE LUCID DREAM

Being aware that I was in a dream, I wanted to meet everyone, take notes and was hoping somehow to take pictures. That did not happen – perhaps another time!

It was easy for me to recognize Humbke characteristics in their faces as I had been examining many old photos over the past two years. I was hoping to see Great-Uncle Dick, as I knew he would be 79 years old in 1961 and probably living in Wetaskiwin, but he did not attend.

I did see Fred (61 yrs old in 1961), Dick’s oldest son, along with his two sons (Stan 26 yr in 1961 and Leonard 24 yrs in 1961) who I easily recognized and talked with briefly.

As you probably realize, dreams can be very real and engaging, but they can also be illogical and difficult to remember in detail.

                                        B – Henry, Dorothy, Norma, Conrad, Myrtle, Florence & Fred   F. – Richard, Hulda, Dick, Elsie & Gordon.

 

Gordon (42 yrs at the time of the dream) and Henry (44 yrs) were also present and I was eager to hear about their experiences when they were in the Canadian army.but we never talked.

There were about 15 women and children there also and I did recognize a couple of Fred’s daughter, but we were only able to exchange recognizing glances.

I specifically looked for Dick & Huld”s youngest child, Richard, the only member of the family that I am aware of meeting in person. Back in 1984 when he was age 57 and I was 42, I had spent a full day talking with him at his home in Abbotsford, BC. His wife’s delicious Sunday meal, meeting a number of his family and the setting of their home around a small lake, still brings back fond memories. But I did not see him, probably because in 196 he was living in Abbotsford, BC. Most of the time, dreams seem to follow their own logic.

The other member of the family I looked for, but could not find was the youngest girl, Dorothy. Then I realized it was 1961 and Dorothy would have been 36 yrs old and living in North Carolina. She is still there living in her own home and very active on facebook. She often posts photos from her past.

 

For some reason, at this point I awoke, much to my disappointment. On reconsidering I was surprised and delighted that as much happened in the dream, as did. Dreaming has always been of interest to me, but I have had very limited success with Lucid Dreaming. It is only recently that I occasionally  realize that I am dreaming. The more I participate in our Edmonton Lucid Dreaming MEET-UP GROUP’S twice each month; work on this web site and do research – the more I remember and find value in both dreaming and lucid dreaming.

Dreams can be very real and engaging, but they can also be illogical and difficult to remember in detail. I believe that everything I have ever experienced in life is somewhere in my subconscious mind and with training it can be brought to conscious awareness through techniques like meditation, hypnosis and lucid dreaming.

By Roger Humbke

Comments are very much appreciated.

 

 

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