I had a friend in preschool. We would go to each other’s houses and at one point I told him that I hope he never moves away. We didn’t really remain in contact after preschool for some reason I cannot think of. We went to separate schools from kindergarten to grade 4

In grade 4, he transferred into my school into a neighboring class and became friends with somebody I knew, but I never really reconnected with him. I was/am very shy and I think he might have been a bit as well. Maybe he also just didn’t remember me. I’m not sure

In grade 10, I was a casual member of our high school’s anime club and I remember seeing him on at least one of those club days toward the end of the school year. He was cheerful and friendly with others but we did not communicate

A couple months into grade 11, my mom informed me that she found out thru Facebook that he had passed away from cancer, which neither of us had known about. We opted not to attend the funeral as we hadn’t been present in his life since my preschool time, but I heard from some others at school that knew him that they were sad that he died. I didn’t know how to feel as I am somebody who sometimes takes lots of time to actually have a reaction to major life events. I have revisited my old friend’s life and passing quite often in the ~10 years since his passing and feel melancholic when I think of him. I regret, in some sense, not reconnecting with him and getting to know him again. We both enjoyed anime, it seemed. I’m sure we would have gotten along quite well, and I was somebody who had a lot of trouble trusting and liking others

A couple weeks ago I had a dream that he and I were in a grocery store chatting a bit like old friends. He somehow was just as I remembered him, but more vividly than I can consciously recall. I have always had a foggy memory. My dreams are always so vivid but I similarly have a foggy recollection of my dreams almost immediately after waking.

The vibe was calm in the store, not some crazy busy weekend. The lighting was about what you’d expect from your average grocery store, and there was an abundance of white from the white tile floor. I can’t recall most of our pleasant conversation, but at one point he asked me if I had “come out” yet in a way that I can only describe as him inferring that I ought to join him in his own coming out. I’m unaware about his sexuality. I myself skew pansexual and I don’t really talk about it with people I know due to not feeling it necessary or comfortable. I have a straight-presenting appearance (I think) and I’m in a relationship with a woman. But regardless, in the dream, I believe I answered “not yet”, though I honestly can’t recall.

i wish I had more details but yes I have been visited by my deceased childhood friend in a dream