So, Laura and I are moving in 19 days (19 days!!!), and I have reserved a 15-foot U-Haul for the big stuff. I thought about it, and it was a no-brainer for me. I have a few large pieces of furniture, a treadmill, a couch, and numerous boxes - so, yes, a 15-foot truck will work for the big stuff. It's just the right size for the larger load. Laura and I will handle moving the boxes and smaller stuff. I can manage that with a 10-foot truck and take it to the new place a couple of days before the big items arrive. It will be a two-part process.
This way, we can unpack all the smaller items that go with the larger items before they arrive. I considered getting a bigger one for our load, but since it was just Laura and me doing the packing, driving, unloading, and driving it back, I decided the 10-footer was sufficient for just boxes and whatnots. I have driven the bigger ones in the past, but that was the past, and I really didn't want to relive that anxious moment again, unless I had to.
U-Haul has been such a Godsend in my life. I'm surprised I haven't taken the time to research the matter and explore other companies that can assist me when I need to move. I think in the very distant past, I may have used Budget, but if I did, I don't remember them being as easy to use and as friendly as U-Haul has been. I keep going back—and if I'm really lucky, this will be the very last time I have to use a moving service again.
There have been too many times, far too many times, in my life, when I just didn't have the money to pay for a service. I had children and worked, but the money I made barely stretched from one week to the next. In some cases, far too many cases, it didn't stretch. Reserving a U-Haul would have been impossible. I relied on church friends, family, regular friends, and the occasional co-worker to all gather around and help me pull things together. I can't count the times I had to pack my things and move back to my parents because I couldn't afford rent. I can't count them because my mind has blocked such memories for good reason. It was such a difficult time in my life.
Today, and by the Grace of God, I am able to afford any service company I wish. I could pay for them to come into my house and box things up for me if I wanted to. I'm not ever going to do something like that, but I could. I think the point is that life can be incredibly chaotic, but there are staples that remain strong and unchanging; things to keep you grounded, and good service is one of those things. You don't have to be rich to afford a U-Haul, and they make it so easy for you with 24/7 around-the-clock operators who are not only helpful but also friendly and willing to listen. I've just never had a bad (or remotely bad) experience with U-Haul. Not one.
The most memorable experience was when I drove from Oklahoma City to Indianapolis in a 20-foot truck. That was stressful, but again, the truck was nice, the people were great, and the service was professional. Even if there had been an issue, it would have been taken care of immediately with the add-on package of insurance and roadside assistance. Perfect! I'm just so grateful for them. They're everywhere, and they have never let me down. I say I won't have to use them again, but someone will, and I will be there to give U-Haul the thumbs up if I'm asked. I highly recommend using them.
I'm not sure, but I believe the price of their trucks has remained the same for over 20 years. It seems like 20 years ago, at least 15 years ago, when I moved to Indy, I would have paid the same $19.95 a day for the 10-foot, $29.95 a day for the 15-foot, and $1 a mile rate that I'm paying now. It's just amazing. I will spend about $80 on 11/21 when Laura and I do our load, and about $100 on 11/23 when my son Jon drives the big stuff in the 15-ft truck. So, for about $200 and gasoline, maybe another $40, I'm getting all of my things moved. I'm also renting a dolly each time, and allowing people with muscles and youth to do the heavy lifting. I'll drive the truck one day -- that, and paying for it, is my contribution.
I have been slowly, methodically, and precisely packing things up in each of the rooms in my house for the past three weeks, and will continue for the next 19 days. Before we rent the first truck, this house will be packed and sealed up! Only the big pieces of furniture, such as desks, appliances, bookshelves, coffee tables, and guitars, will not be in boxes! I've found the big fat Sharpie and I'm not afraid to use it! Each box is formed, taped, loaded, sealed, and labeled. We are one well-organized machine around here. If we've ever had time to move, this is it. If we've ever had time to pack, we do now. Again, my mind drifts back - slams back - to the days when I had 24 hours to box things up and get out, under Sheriff's orders. Those days are gone!
I could write a book about how often I had to leave and for all the crazy reasons why, but instead, I'll just add a few of those more interesting events of my real life into the fictional books I write so I can tell the bloody-gory truth, and no one has to believe it was true. They'll think I made it all up! I prefer it that way; that way, no one feels pity for me. I survived. By the Grace of our Lord, I did in fact survive! I drive down the road, and when I see a U-Haul truck pass me, I think about who is inside. I ask myself, where are they going, or where have they come from? I try to make up little stories about them, and I also tend to say a little prayer for them. I know that may seem or sound silly, but I feel a little connected to them. If you have to move, as we all do, and you need a service, think U-Haul.
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