Many who read the message from Leo Phut written about "Ray MacDonald" the late close friend, were moved to tears. After enduring several sleepless nights due to grief and sorrow lingering in his heart, at times he struggles to believe that "Ray MacDonald" his beloved close friend has truly passed away.
Leo Phut wrote about a dream that took him back to his childhood in an old 1980s-style house, a safe place in his memories. He imagines that “Ray” might be traveling somewhere in a long dream in a favorite place, and sometimes thinks that “Ray” is just playing a prank by secretly going off on a trip and disappearing from the crew as he used to do. But when reality forces acceptance, all he can do is hope his friend visits him in dreams and rests peacefully without worry, adding the hashtag “#DontForgetRay.”
“In recent nights, I haven't slept well, feeling something unresolved in my heart, weak and bewildered. The cause is undoubtedly about Ray.
Today is the same. I woke up early despite only sleeping a few hours. It took a long time to fall asleep, tossing and turning late into the night. Eventually, daytime fatigue made me fall asleep.
I dreamed of my old elementary school house that holds many good memories. Overall, everything looked the same: white with blue stripes, a style popular in the 80s. Next door had been renovated into a modern, beautiful, and unusual house, seeming from a different era, but my house remained unchanged except the trees had grown over time.
I seemed smaller, as if going back in time to be the child who once lived in that house.
In the dream, I carefully watered each tree, knowing it might be a long wait before I could visit this beloved home again. The creeping fig in front was neatly trimmed. The large Ashoka trees still stood in a row along the original fence. Mom’s Chinese hibiscus thrived in a pot. The mango tree had grown tall with few fruits, as always.
There was one unfamiliar tree, a fig leaf tree, which I couldn’t recall if it truly existed or was just created by my memory in the dream. But I was truly happy in that dream. I think it might be a natural mechanism of the body and mind protecting itself when facing emotional trauma.
People often have certain places or times in life that feel safest and most comforting. When tired or in pain, the mind may unconsciously take us back there. For me, that house is such a place.
If Ray is truly asleep, as the doctor said, maybe he’s dreaming like I am, but in a longer dream. Perhaps he’s dreaming of a place that brings him comfort — a beautiful sea or a high mountain with fresh air where he doesn’t want to come down. Somewhere he liked to take us climbing until tired, laughing mischievously as always.
If he is living in another long dream, then reality’s limits no longer apply. In dreams, we can be anywhere, be children again, and those we miss can appear right before us.
If possible, I want to tell Ray that this house still has space for him to come and play anytime. He can ride a bike, play plastic ball in front, Mom and Grandma are kind, and there are many friends I want him to meet. He can stay a night or two, as he wishes. The house is still here, the trees still grow, the wind still blows past, and good memories fill every corner.
Though he’s not here anymore, without laughter, calls, or phone rings since morning, no one sees him coming back through the door or popping in unexpectedly as before, he will never disappear from our hearts.
He remains in the stories we tell, in the memories of joyful days, and in the longing we feel whenever someone mentions his name.
Sometimes I want to think he’s just playing a prank by secretly running off on a trip like he often did, and one day I might randomly meet him somewhere.
But since reality has confirmed it so firmly, I must surrender and swallow the truth.
If dreams truly have no limits, I wish he would visit this house in his dreams. He doesn't need to stay long or say anything, just come so I can see him once in a dream and know he’s alright somewhere in his long dream. At least I want him to know this place... still has people who always think of him. This white and blue house still waits for him, and we here still love and miss him as always.
Rest peacefully without worries. Dream as you wish, go where you like. And if one day you dream of this white and blue house, drop by. Consider this your home, come anytime, Ray. Don’t forget, “#DontForgetRay.”
Many who read this message were moved to tears and deeply saddened, offering hugs to Phut, Ta, and Ray’s family to stay strong.
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