Love You to the Moon and Back

A Real Life Story by Glenn Hansen

Dedicated to Sweet Judith, wherever you are in God’s universe.

CHAPTER 3

As I sit behind the wheel in my car about ready to start it and zoom off, it occurs to me that some might not understand why someone with supposed fixed resources was giving money to a security person at the hospital for coffee. The answer is really simple. My heart sometimes tells me to do things like this, to make a meaningful gesture to someone to show I appreciate them. My head usually agrees with this concept. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is right. 

I turn on the ignition, and the perky little engine in my ten plus year old small sedan quickly snaps to life. In many ways this car is the best car I have ever owned. It’s very roomy for a small car with a plush interior that is very comfortable for both me and my occasional passengers. It has numerous features like a sunroof and rudimentary sophisticated electronics that I never use. It is in great condition with low “clickage” relative to its age. I lucked out in getting this used vehicle. It was one of those right place, right time kind of things and the price was quite agreeable. Very soon, I will finally have it paid off.

I have always been amused by the names of colours given to vehicles. My car is no exception. For the most part it looks black, but the colour is actually called Kona Bean brown. This is named for the rich, pleasant tasting Kona coffee that originates in Hawaii. Sure enough, in the absolute right sunlight conditions, you can see that it really is a very dark, slightly metallic brown. However, it usually looks black.

It takes about a half hour of city driving to get to or from the healthcare centre and my home. Home, in my case, is a fairly roomy bachelor suite in a middle-aged, one storey apartment building. It’s roomy because I made the decision to purchase a twin bed as opposed to a queen sized bed when moving in. It was the right decision for a myriad of reasons.

I am grateful to be where I live. The rent is so very reasonable, especially in this day and age, and includes a number of perks that you would usually have to pay for in a typical apartment building. The building is in a park like setting with tree cover much like the healthcare centre. You regularly see deer and birds. I even saw a fox on one occasion. The structure is well-maintained and comfortable and there’s a sense of community among the tenants.

During the drive home I sometimes listen to music or ponder or both. I was glad to have made the trip to see my friend in the healthcare facility. It’s a trip I make four times a week. Occasionally I go a fifth time. It was disappointing to not be able to converse with Judy on this visit, but that’s okay. Just knowing that I made the effort and that she appreciates me coming to see her always leaves a good feeling. I was meaningfully contributing to her life and she to mine.