Marital crisis
Here is an interesting example of two people dreaming about their relationship.
A couple in mid-life, Betty and Ross, were facing a complex decision after 27 years of marriage, about whether to stay together. They loved each other, but Betty was strongly attracted to another relationship, while Ross did not want to lose her. They were people of faith, acknowledging that dreams might carry personal guidance.
Then Ross had the following dream:
Dream report: Rough Road
I was in a car with a lady, who I could not identify. Our journey was over a very muddy, narrow mountain road. We had to slowly manoeuvre around slips which all but blocked the road, and dodge falling rocks. The road had deep ruts, making it very hard to steer. Progress was slow and careful, with us nearly going over the side on more than one occasion. Eventually we arrived on a broad safe plain with the sun shining. I woke up.
Ross interpreted this dream as a metaphor about the process they were involved in. He felt encouraged to continue negotiating patiently with his wife.
Two months later when Betty was about to leave, she dreamed of a tornado coming:
Dream report: Tornado
I was in our house with the family. Hearing a roaring noise I looked out of the window and realised a tornado was coming for the house. As it got nearer, the house shook more and more. It struck savagely, taking the front off the house, and I saw boards, iron sheets, windows, etc, whirling away. Then it veered off, and the house was still standing. Everything seemed very quiet. I felt relieved that we were unhurt.
The dream caused her to think carefully and take more time about her decision, as she realised the possible impact on the family.
After they had endured four months of stressful uncertainty about whether they had a joint future, they made a decision to stay together. Then they saw that they had ‘weathered the storm’ after all. They reported: ‘That was two years ago. Our marriage is still intact, and we have a greater love for and understanding of each other than ever before.’