Practicing For Death

This morning I had a strange and clear dream. My father had died and a friend told me to call up a person at random and tell that person about his death as practice for when I have to call people I know. I dialed a number and asked for Julie.  Julie came to the phone. I told her that my father had died and she responded with great sympathy. Her voice was so distinctive and full of compassion that I felt as if I knew her. Yet, I had never in waking life heard her voice. I told her the funeral would be the next day and I asked her to come to it. She said she would. I hung up and then remembered that I hadn't given her a time or place for the funeral. 

I woke up wondering why it seems to be easier for strangers to be compassionate than our own families when it comes to the death of a loved one.  I know so many people, including myself, who have lost relationships with brothers and sisters when a parent died......  It made me sad to think of the old wounds but also encouraged me because strangers have been so loving to me through this blog.  Thank you......