That dream. That dream again. The last week, every night, the same dream. Everytime I close my eyes, it comes. I'm dying for some good sleep. This schedule. So many people depending on me. Lord, help me, give me strength. Help me to understand this, what? ... vision. I'm not sure what it is, but Lord, I feel your presence there.

First I smell that fragrance. Like flowers, like young love in spring. Like a bright sun after a horrid storm. Like breath from a baby's laugh. Love radiates from all the people around me but I cannot see their faces. They are not my family, and yet they are. Then I hear the sound.

It sounds like rumbling thunder and a blues guitar rolled into one. It comes from the east and shines cascades across the sky in musical layers. It reminds me of watching storms on the front porch of our home in Atlanta. Back when Grandma was alive. Before I was an ICON. Oh Grandmomma, I miss you so.

The dream ends as I walk to the balcony and see this, this ... ship. It was in the air. Way up in the middle of the air. Like Ezekiel's wheel. Maybe that was it. This ship had lights. Colors I'd never seen, never dreamed of, that shined as brilliantly as store polished gems. They blinked in unison and sometimes they blinked alone. At all times, they blinked in rhythm.

My friends pointed to it but I don't think that they had the ability to really see it. When I saw it, it overwhelmed me. I fell to my knees in disbelief. Soon my body felt warm all over. A red glow covered everything I saw. I reminded me of that new TV show, what's it called? Oh yeah, 'Star Trek'. It was like a transporter ray or something. The red glow picked me up off the ground and drew me towards the colorful, hovering craft. I felt free for the first time in years.

My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!

Last night at the speech was the first time I could smell that sweet, sweet smell. I was temporarily frightened as the dream bled through into reality. I did not fear for long because you see, the Lord is my shepard. He has stilled my waters and given unto me, peace. I was almost bursting from the inner joy, from the rapture that I felt as the smell grew stronger and sweeter and as those stormy waters turned motionless as a mirror.

I have been to the mountain top.

As I sit here at the Lorraine Motel, awake. I think, yes, it is that smell. That sweet, sweet smell. Yes, that is it. And yes, I can hear it, I can hear it. Is it still a dream?

I might not get there with you. But WE AS A PEOPLE ... WILL reach the promised land.

"Hey, Jesse, let's go to the balcony and get some air. I could use a change."