Aww
I don't have psychicabilities, But i have a feeling in my gut its a relitive, maybe some one your mom was very close to as a child. But thats just me.
I believe you DID see your dad in your dreams, i think meeting passed on friends and family is the best way to comunicate, its not "scary" or 'shocking ' , I had what i thought a crazy dream of ALL my passed on relieve, Both my grandfathers who i knew, a great aunt i knew as a child, my grandmother on my father side and my grandfather on my dad side who i've never met he passed 3 years before i was born i had not ever seen a pic of him, since our home blew up when i was 3 or 4 we lots everything. I discribed my dad's father to a T and everyone was in shock.
My great aunt passed when i was i think 5, She kept screaming my brothers name to me that's all, come to find out she was very close to my brother. I saw my cousin who died of SIDs when i was again around age 4-5.
I have no doubt in my mind i got to have a family reunion in my room, gives me great comfort.
Keep a record of your dream visits and same with your mom write down eveything the setting what was said, a message you'll understand the message
Take care
Norma