Vision or Coincidence?

A few days ago, I finished reading a novel in which the main character had visions.  There was discussion in the book about whether or not it is possible for a person to see what is going on in someone else’s life when they are not in physical proximity.  One of the characters in the book, who was counselling the person who had the visions, believed this was possible if there was a close emotional bond between the person in the vision and the person having the vision.  I was reminded of something my Mother told me years ago.

During World War II, all the men in my family in the generation before me were in the military.  My Dad was in France.  His brother was a medic on a hospital ship in the Pacific.  One of my Mother’s brothers was in north Africa, and the other two were in Europe.

It was a difficult time for both sides of my family.  My grandfathers were the only men around in either household.  There was a lot of stress, and my Mother was pregnant with me.  One night during this time, my Mother awakened in a cold sweat.  She had heard her brother Frank call out, “Laurena, I’ve been shot!”

Communications at this time were not instantaneous as they are now.  Time passed…I don’t know if it was days or weeks…before the family received word that Frank had indeed been shot by a German sniper.  His elbow was shattered and required a metal plate, but his life was spared. 

Apparently, he got most of the use of his arm back, as my Mother told me that when he came home, he used to lift me to the ceiling and purposely hit my head on it.  This apparently caused me to call him Bink instead of Uncle Frank.   In any event, I was delighted and would squeal, “Do it again Bink.”  Perhaps I was unknowingly participating in his physical therapy.

I have wondered about this incident.  My Mother didn’t dwell on it and never mentioned any similar experiences.  I suppose one could say it was a coincidence.  Obviously with all the young men in harm’s way, the family was experiencing anxiety.  But it was Frank she heard call to her, and it was Frank who caught the bullet.  My Mother had a great deal of affection for all three of her brothers, and they all seemed to adore her…so who knows?  Perhaps an emotional bond can span the Atlantic Ocean.