When you are a trucker’s wife you learn to live with the fact that your husband will be absent for most holidays and special occasions. At most trucking companies the only holiday you can bet money that your husband will definitely be spending at home is Christmas. When my husband left home after a week’s reprieve with me and the kids, I didn’t plan on seeing the whites of his baby blue eyes until the first week of March. The kids and I were resigned to another Valentine’s Day spent apart. He had bought me a chocolate rose and my favorite conversation hearts before he left, so it was all good. Our valentines for him would have to wait till he ever came back home.
It was Valentines Day night. The kids and I had eaten dinner and were settled on the couch watching “The Biggest Loser” on television. If it is Tuesday, you can pretty well bet money that is where you will find me. I can’t miss that or “Parenthood”. It is the only night I am religious about watching TV. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t miss “The Voice” on Monday night either if I can help it. The rest of the nights I pretty much do my own thing: read, write, clean, or play games with the kids. It didn’t really surprise me when my phone rang during the “Biggest Loser” and the caller ID announced my husband was on the phone. He often calls this time of night to check in, talk with kids about how their day went at school, and to see if I am doing alright.
He surprised me and told me he needed Mapquestand wanted me to look up how many hours away from home he was. I typed in destination A to B and was shocked to realize he was only a little over an hour away!! I thought he was out east somewhere!!! I certainly didn‘t think he was anywhere near home! “Move the pickup truck over, I am coming home!!” Sphincter says what? The dinner dishes weren’t done, the kids stuff was littered all over the living room, and he was coming home??? Usually I have plenty of warning before he comes home, but at practically bedtime I was in no frame of mind to do a thorough cleaning shakedown on the entire house. At this late stage in the day, Mr. Neat and Tidy would just have to live with how the house looked because even if I had the energy to pull myself off the couch, the desire to clean was not there. Let the chips fall where they may! He isn’t company after all, he lives here too!
At almost 11 PM he backed his semi into the driveway. He came to the door with a big grin proclaiming “Surprise, Happy Valentines Day!” It was a BIG surprise, and despite the fact I had to fix him something to eat at almost midnight, I felt blessed that we could be together for Valentine’s Day. He got to see all the kids Valentines they had received from their friends at their class parties. He got to see their school work. Not only did he get a full tummy and a hot shower, he also got the roll in the hay he was looking for. Every now and then one of life’s little surprises comes along and happens to not be bad news for a change. It doesn't happen often, but when it does you realize how good life can be until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
Jo, it made the kids and I happy too. It was a late night for all of us but well worth staying up to see him. I can't keep my kids in bed if they know Daddy is coming home. It is to rare of an occurrence around her. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
Word Nerd, it really was! I almost didn't know what to do with myself. He was worried he didn't show up bearing gifts like flowers. Geez, I was just happy to have him. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
Jenn, it was exciting. First I panicked because the house wasn't perfect. He let me know once he got home that he didn't come to see the house, which was pretty romantic! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
What a great surprise, Kathy! I'm so glad your husband got to come home and spend time with you and the kids. I think it takes someone special to be a trucker's wife!
Theresa, thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. A lot of folks wouldn't be cut out for it. It is a hard life. I will never deny it. At times I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders or like a single parent.
nice surprise. so kathy, in a way, you and i are dealing with the same kind of situation, regarding our not always home, husbands... and as people say to me.. i will say to you... kudos for being strong, holding it together, and maintaining a sense of balance in the lifestyle your are living. :)
That was a good surprise, Kathy, thanks for sharing!!! Those little days/nights make it easier to endure the loneliness of your usual existence. Of course you remember that I spent a few years being a trucker's wife. I also made a few 45-mile trips to a truck stop to have dinner and spend the night with him in the big red truck. Life is good!
BTW, I miss the purple truck now that you've changed things although I think you've done a great job on your design. Yes, you are quite talented! And, I guess you do need a change of scenery every so often.
Betty, those passing through visits really do help to break up the monotony. They are a gift and usually don't happen. This is my husband's new truck. He got a new 2012 model to drive in November so the purple people eater has been assigned to someone else with less seniority. Thank you for the wonderful comments about my new design!! I am still really thrilled with it and amazed I did it. YAY. The most thrilling was designing an avatar to represent me and interweaving it into the design. The old look reminded me to much of barfed up pepto bismal. It had to go!! LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your wonderful comments!
Hi Kathy, I just got home from the store a few minutes ago. Thanks for writing me back.
I know that without the truckers, I wouldn't have this 'shirt on my back' ... And, I noticed over the years a lot of own/opts have lost their trucks to the "changing" truck industry, and are forced to become CD's.
Just recently I discovered a really simple way for truckers & their wives to be able to make more $$$ every month, especially husband & wife Team drivers.
In this challenging economy, this is very refreshing to the truckers.
If you like, I'd be glad to share it with any of your friends, would like to have a little more income each month.
What a lovely surprise! That just makes me so happy reading this.
ReplyDelete♥
Awww, that was terrific. :O)
ReplyDeleteJo, it made the kids and I happy too. It was a late night for all of us but well worth staying up to see him. I can't keep my kids in bed if they know Daddy is coming home. It is to rare of an occurrence around her. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteWord Nerd, it really was! I almost didn't know what to do with myself. He was worried he didn't show up bearing gifts like flowers. Geez, I was just happy to have him. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteGreat surprise!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, it sure was! Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteExciting to have that sort of surprise...even romantic!
ReplyDeleteJenn, it was exciting. First I panicked because the house wasn't perfect. He let me know once he got home that he didn't come to see the house, which was pretty romantic! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
DeleteWhat a great surprise, Kathy! I'm so glad your husband got to come home and spend time with you and the kids. I think it takes someone special to be a trucker's wife!
ReplyDeleteTheresa, thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. A lot of folks wouldn't be cut out for it. It is a hard life. I will never deny it. At times I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders or like a single parent.
DeleteCute story, you could have left out the roll in the hay, I'm not even OTR and have forgotten about that, LOL.
ReplyDeleteFireman, well there really wasn't any hay involved technically. LOL Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
DeleteWhat a wonderful surprise. You are so open and honest it always makes me giggle. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKAT, I am so pleased you enjoyed my blog and got a little giggle out of it! Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeletenice surprise. so kathy, in a way, you and i are dealing with the same kind of situation, regarding our not always home, husbands... and as people say to me.. i will say to you... kudos for being strong, holding it together, and maintaining a sense of balance in the lifestyle your are living. :)
ReplyDeleteDanneromero, thank you for the kudos! It isn't always a bed of roses but I guess I handle and manage. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteThat was a good surprise, Kathy, thanks for sharing!!! Those little days/nights make it easier to endure the loneliness of your usual existence. Of course you remember that I spent a few years being a trucker's wife. I also made a few 45-mile trips to a truck stop to have dinner and spend the night with him in the big red truck. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I miss the purple truck now that you've changed things although I think you've done a great job on your design. Yes, you are quite talented! And, I guess you do need a change of scenery every so often.
Betty, those passing through visits really do help to break up the monotony. They are a gift and usually don't happen. This is my husband's new truck. He got a new 2012 model to drive in November so the purple people eater has been assigned to someone else with less seniority. Thank you for the wonderful comments about my new design!! I am still really thrilled with it and amazed I did it. YAY. The most thrilling was designing an avatar to represent me and interweaving it into the design. The old look reminded me to much of barfed up pepto bismal. It had to go!! LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your wonderful comments!
DeleteHello Kathy, That was a nice story.
ReplyDeleteI was curious, Is your husband an own / opt with his own Trk & trailer, or is he a company driver?
Thomas
Thomas, he is a company driver and always has been. I am so pleased you enjoyed my story. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments! ♥
DeleteHi Kathy, I just got home from the store a few minutes ago. Thanks for writing me back.
ReplyDeleteI know that without the truckers, I wouldn't have this 'shirt on my back' ... And, I noticed over the years a lot of own/opts have lost their trucks to the "changing" truck industry, and are forced to become CD's.
Just recently I discovered a really simple way for truckers & their wives to be able to make more $$$ every month, especially husband & wife Team drivers.
In this challenging economy, this is very refreshing to the truckers.
If you like, I'd be glad to share it with any of your friends, would like to have a little more income each month.
Best email for me is Thomas@OneBox.com
Best Wishes, Thomas
Thomas, thank you for stopping back in and for your additional comments! ♥
Delete