Sandy found herself on Second Beach.  It was odd though.  The sun was full and hot, but she felt comfortable.  One minute she was in her pajamas on the beach and the next minute she was wearing a sundress with a straw hat.  No one said dreams had to make sense.

     “Sandy,” a familiar voice called.  Sandy turned around and immediately saw her Aunt Penelope.  Aunt Penny was also wearing a sundress with a big straw hat.  Like Sandy, she was barefoot.  Sandy ran into her aunt’s arms without a second thought.  After hugging her aunt with a death grip, Sandy suddenly paused and looked up into her aunt’s face.

     “You’re...”

     “Dead.” Aunt Penney finished Sandra’s sentence for her.  “Yes, I know.   Think of death as a new state of being.  Boy, are the atheists in for a big surprise!”  Sandy couldn’t help but smile.  Her aunt had a great sense of humor and Sandy missed it sorely.  Aunt Penny had died quite unexpectedly and quite young; approximately in her early fifties, as best as Sandy could guess.  Aunt Penny had been secretive of her real age.  “Sandy.  I can’t be with you in your present life, but I can be with you in your dreams.  Now, hurry.  I have a lot to tell you in a relatively short dream.”

     Aunt Penny took Sandy’s hand and started to lead her towards the shoreline.  As Sandy looked around, she noticed that they were not alone.  There were quite a few sunbathers on their blankets and others that appeared to be walking or running, but something seemed weird.  All the people seemed to be frozen in time.  No, that wasn’t it.  They were moving, just incredibly slow.  All the people on the beach, also didn’t seem to notice Sandy and Aunt Penny.  Sandy passed under a seagull that appeared to be stationary in mid air.  This was a very interesting sensation.