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 17

My visits with Judy continued. I was still happy and grateful to be able to see her on a regular basis. I knew time was running short as Judy’s accelerating decline was becoming even quicker. We did not converse much anymore. She was just too weak. We would sit outside in the court yard at Riverview and she would close her eyes and feel the breeze and life in nature.

From time to time, she would open her eyes, look at me in that special way, and warmly smile. We still had this wonderful connection, and we would always have it. I would nod and smile back at her with all my heart.

“Love you to the moon and back.” We shared this phrase with each other to the very end.

It was a Monday afternoon when I next visited Judy. It was a wonderful day to be outdoors. We had yet another very nice time together. We sat outside that day for an hour and a half until she was almost out of oxygen. I took her back to the ward in her wheelchair and we went into the “Kitchen.” She liked to hang in there. It was a good break from the long hours she spent in her comfortable room.

Her room was filled with family photos and mementoes, gifts, flowers, magazines and more. It was to give her a sense of “being at home.” This is yet another wonderful aspect of Riverview’s patient care, and her family had gladly and generously provided most of the items to create this “home.” It was lovely.

In the “Kitchen,” one of the health aides expediently changed her oxygen tank. Once she was settled in there, she knew I would be leaving. We hugged each other tenderly. I kissed her on the forehead. She kissed me on the neck. I quietly told her, “Love you to the moon and back.” Judy gathered what little strength she still had and replied, “Love you to the moon and back.” I told her I would be back on Wednesday. I smiled warmly and tenderly at her and quietly left, again, as always, thanking the staff for the care they are giving Judy as I walked past the ward’s reception area on the way out.

I had designed and had professionally printed a customized Thank You card which, along with some nice chocolates, I gave to the staff in the ward the previous week to show my appreciation for them and all that they were doing for my Sweet Judith. My heart and head had no problem agreeing on doing this.   

As I drove back to my apartment, our close friendship rolled through my brain like an IMAX movie. While what was happening to Judy was, of course, very sombre and saddening for me, I recalled the numerous “good times” we shared in the midst of this difficult journey. I would not trade it for the world. I was a better person as a result, and know Judy is a true friend on a profound level that you rarely find in life. I also know how much she appreciates my genuine friendship and how much it means to her.

As I pulled into the parking lot at home on that Monday, I also realized Judy’s heart is still filled with her loving, caring and giving nature in spite of everything. What I did not know at the time is today would be the last time I would ever see Judy.