Was it a Dream?

I'm not really sure if this is classed as a ghost encounter, I'm not sure what it is. So I'll let you decide! My Dad died suddenly just before Christmas last year (2006). He suffered a massive brain hemorrhage whilst at home last year, and was found by my Mum a couple of hours later. He was only 52 and in good health, so as you can imagine it was a massive shock to me and my family. He was a big guy, I thought he was invincible. He was my hero. We were all filled with the same regret of not being able to say goodbye. Such a sudden death brings a lot of feelings along with grief, and I felt totally at a loss. I wrote him a letter, which was placed in his coffin, as I couldn't think of any other way to say my goodbyes.

About 2 weeks after he died I had the most vivid, emotional dream I think I've ever had. I dreamt that I was in my car, in the driving seat, and suddenly my Dad appeared in the passenger seat. I remember feeling totally shocked, because in my dream I was totally aware of the fact that he was dead and therefore shouldn't be sat in my car! There were 2 or 3 people also sat in the backseat, although I can't remember who they were or what they looked liked. I asked my Dad what he was doing here and who were the people in the backseat? He said that he'd come to visit me and the people were here with him as he wasn't allowed to visit on his own yet.

I was so happy to see him, I immediately told him that we had to go and find my Mum and brother who were at a local supermarket as they had to see him. He told me he couldn't because he had to go. I began to cry and was begging him to stay. I leaned over and hugged him, still crying uncontrollably, and he then said "don't worry, it's safe and warm where I am" and then "it's fluffy!" I was still holding him when he kind of just faded away, along with the people in the back. I was left on my own in the car, crying, when I suddenly woke up.

I laid there and was so stricken with grief that I continued crying almost uncontrollably for quite a while. It felt like I had my Dad back and then lost him all over again. I was very upset from this dream for about a week as I couldn't shake the feeling that it was actually him, and he had come to visit me.

I'm fully aware that due to my state of mind and the fact I hadn't said goodbye, my mind could have created this dream, as it was what I was longing for most. I would have given anything to get my Dad back, and I know that dreams often just convey what is going on in the depths of your mind. But what surprised me was the realness of the dream, and the fact that I could physically feel the emotions I did in my dream, grief, shock etc.

But I also think that it's possible that it was a visit. Dreams can take you anywhere you want to go, and surely if it was just a dream, why wasn't he alive and well? I really don't know what to think of if. I've asked a couple of friends who are mediums and they said it's very possible that it was actually him. I've also been told that the people with him are guides and they supervise new spirits on visits.

I'm not religious at all, so his description of being "safe and warm" doesn't signal to me that he's in heaven, maybe he is, I can't comment on whether heaven is real because I've never been! My Mum, brother and sister all had dreams that he visited them too, and a few other strange coincidences also happened shortly after.

So what do you guys think? Was it him? Or just a dream, my mind letting me see him because that's what I wanted most in the world? I think it's also worth noting that shortly after my Grandad died a few years ago, my Mum had a very similar dream (he was her dad). And she also said that he was with some people she had never met. Maybe my brain just replicated that dream, a way of helping my state of mind?

I'm a true believer in ghosts and all things paranormal, but I'm also a very level headed, rational person. I have crazy dreams all the time, so I'm fully aware that it could be JUST A DREAM! I'm interested to know if anyone has had a similar experience, especially concerning the 'guides' that appear to accompany the person.