For the most part, I usually don't have any people that I actually know in my dreams. I almost never see my actual friends and family (I do sometimes, but it's very rare). For the most part it's just little old me in there.

However, lets say about 4 or 5 years ago, I knew a guy named 'Bob' (hypothetical, of course). I haven't spoken to Bob in more than 2 years, and I haven't seen him in more than 3 years. For some reason, 'Bob' shows up in way too many dreams. Nine times out of ten, if there's another person in my dream who is actually recognizable, it's Bob.

I don't want to think about Bob any more, and it makes me kinda sad when Bob shows up in my dreams (when I wake up, that is, I usually tend to enjoy Bob's company in the reams). :\

I can't help but think there's some reason this is happening.. I mean, of all the people to keep showing up. Of all the people I see every day, and the people I'm always with, I never see them - only Bob.

Also, this has been occurring since before we parted ways, but it's been happening more lately (past 3 nights).

So my question is; if I don't want to think about Bob anymore, because it usually dampens my mood once I've woken up, why does he keep showing up? For what reasons does someone keep showing up like this, even once they're not even part of my life anymore?