I dreamt that I was getting a receipt, from a grocery store, surgically removed from my chest. I woke up and actually thought I was getting stabbed in the chest! –Bobby, 35, Tampa, FL

Lauri: The chest is where the heart is and often is connected to your feelings in waking life. The receipt most likely represents an emotional price you have paid. You are having it surgically removed because your inner dreaming mind feels you need to remove this pain from your life. It may also be a pun on “getting something off your chest.” Anything you need to open up about? Or a pun on “checking out.” Have you tuned out on a relationship or something you once cared about? The pain you feel upon waking is connected to the emotional pain you hold inside ... that or you are afraid it will be painful to say what needs to be said. The surgery aspect indicates it is something that would have repaired or mended a situation or relationship.

Bobby replies: My wife and I continue mending our relationship. We almost got divorced a few months ago, mainly because no matter what I said, I could not get through to her anymore. I love my wife and the mother of my children very much, but no matter what I say, or how I say it, she doesn’t seem to care or want to hear or want to comprehend. Basically, I was packing my bags and told her she could have EVERYTHING, including my bank accounts. I didn’t care. I wanted out because I could not get through to her anymore. It was then she finally realized what was going on and has been changing for the better ever since.