I thought back to all of the experiences with dreams I've had, and aside from one, all were in anticipation of a move or a life change. So, even though I had never been to or seen a certain place, I knew that I would move there in the near future. It was at these times that I would have a dream about a specific place or event. Perhaps this is dreaming by selective association. But how, then, would I retrieve a visual image? I'm not out there trying to make a living as a phsycic. This happens involuntarily.
BTW--after tonight I am not going to worry about the meaning of the experience anymore.

@15, I dreamed about being by the ocean. I saw children running and laughing. I saw little paths running through greenery. The laughter became choatic. I started running on the path. The children kept disappearing. I was terrified. I never forgot that dream.
Twenty-five years later, I am with my young family, headed towards Santa Cruz for a day out at the beach. Never been before. We get out of the car, walk and enjoy the views, and laugh. We start walking down a path, the kids are laughing, running, a little out of control. I begin to recognize the area and I remember my dream. I start running, worried as hell, not knowing why. I'm feeling surreal at this point. I don't know what to expect at this point, because I never saw the outcome of the dream. I catch up to the children just before the path disappears. I stop them. We walk to the end of the path and we see steep cliffs infront of us, just steps away.
But how is it possible to see an event before it happens? This makes no sense. I don't believe in determinism. If God exists, I don't believe that there is a specific agenda he is forcing us all to follow. I don't believe in soul mates-so how did I see my current children @15 years old in an ambiguous dream? I don't meditate. I do not belong to any religious group. From a rational standpoint, I can't put my finger on this one. Any ideas out there?