Once upon a time, you're still unattainable but this helps

Chris and I joked that if there is something beyond this world, he would signal this to me by showing me a Volkswagen kombi. To say that I rarely noticed them at that time was an understatement. Now, invariably on the sad days, I see one; in person, on TV or my step-daughter sends me a Snapchat movie of a auto show she stumbled upon; unaware of the kombi connection.

Yesterday, driving to catch up for a coffee with my sister, I was listening to music in the car, feeling melancholy, so long since hearing his voice. I park ready to walk to this cafe, I've never been there before and I'm slightly lost but end up at the front of the cafe; made it. Its filled with the lunch time crowd so we head downstairs to the basement. It's dark, comfortable and feels cool on this warm day, the decor a mix of old furniture, mismatched dining suites and memorabilia. We enjoy a fresh strong coffee and share a warm lamb wrap while we chat, I sit sideways listening and my gaze moves to the fun items around us; old typewriters and sewing machines mixed with small practical artifacts of the building and construction trade.

As we get up to leave, I stand and turn to walk out the back door only to see a cheery yellow kombi bearing the name of the cafe, parked directly behind it. It helps so much it's ridiculous. I feel my spirits lift and a spring in my step as I head to collect my car.

Shout out to Once upon a time cafe, located on West Parade in West Ryde, NSW.