T is for Trucks
My life has been surrounded by semi trucks. My Dad was an over the road truck driver who retired early after over 30 years on the road. My husband and I had only been married a couple of years when he decided the open road called him too. My Dad was an owner operator and had access to trucks for my husband to practice driving. I picked up a copy of the CDL study manual from the license branch and went to work quizzing him on the answers. Between the two of us, we helped paved my husband’s way to a career as an over the road truck driver.
Since he began driving in 1999, he has driven many trucks well over a guesstimated million miles from sea to shining sea, north, south, east, and west. My husband has always been a company driver driving one of the fleet of tractors available. Most trucking companies update their equipment every so many years and miles. Because of that and several company changes, my husband has called many trucks home.
A lot of people have asked me if I have ever gone with him. When he first started driving, I would go along occasionally. There were a few trips to Florida, but other than that I have stayed home. It was a lot harder to manage once the kids came along. Road trips in the truck were not really like vacations. He was working, and there was no time for sight seeing. The whole point is getting the product from A to B, not seeing how many attractions you can take in along the way. It is no joy ride. It is work. It is a life, and the truck becomes a home away from home. It is certainly no replacement for home by any stretch of the imagination.
When I was a little girl, I used to watch my Dad’s truck disappear in the night waiting for him to blink his lights in a final farewell salute. Watching used to make me cry. I was always afraid he wouldn’t come back. Fortunately, he always did. Even now, I will stay in the door way and watch my husband’s truck as it disappears from view, often with tears in my eyes. You know they have to go. It is their job. Still, it doesn’t make the goodbyes any easier.
On the flip side of the coin, there is no greater cause for excitement and jubilation than knowing that my husband’s truck is in the vicinity. The kids and I rush out to the road, waiting in anticipation of our first glimpse of that big international turning the corner. When my husband is on his way home, he always calls to let us know where he is as he comes closer proving he must like the fuss we make. For my family, trucking is not only our livelihood, but a way of life until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
On the flip side of the coin, there is no greater cause for excitement and jubilation than knowing that my husband’s truck is in the vicinity. The kids and I rush out to the road, waiting in anticipation of our first glimpse of that big international turning the corner. When my husband is on his way home, he always calls to let us know where he is as he comes closer proving he must like the fuss we make. For my family, trucking is not only our livelihood, but a way of life until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
I love this story. I'ts a world I don't know. The open road. My father was a professor and was home every night in time for my parents' evening cocktail.: My husband is home every night but besides working full time he is in school and there are several nights a week when he just isn't home before we all go to bed. Did I mention this? I may have. I may have said this, that he might as well be truckin'. on the open road.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I can't imagine what it would be like to have had my Dad home every night. I got a little taste of that when he finally retired early at 62. Glad I got the time I did with him, because he died a couple months after turning 65. Having my husband home would be a real blessing. You are lucky. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteWhenever we take road trips and see rows of trucks lined up at stops, their drivers inside for a bite to eat or in the cabs of the trucks, sleeping, I think about how hard that life must sometimes be--for them and for those who love them. So many goodbyes, so much missed at home. First words, first steps, school plays, a lot of that stuff must happen without them. Hard.
ReplyDeleteWord Nerd, my husband has missed a lot of school concerts. When my son needed stitches, he was on the road. Sometimes it seems like we are always saying goodbye. He is only here a fraction of the time, and when I really stop and think about how little he is home it makes me sad. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteOnce many years ago, I went with a friend of mine's husband on a journey from the top of California, to the bottom in a rig. It was an experience I am glad I can put under my hat, but I know what you mean when you say it is work, not a pleasure trip. I do like the camaraderie you find between truckers, and I used to love getting on the CB to talk to them no matter where I was going. They know the road, and usually have a better way to get wherever you are going.
ReplyDeleteNovember Rain, when I have rode along with my husband I have been highly entertained by all the stupidity that is on the CB. It drove me insane, and I made him turn it down. Truckers do know the road because they spend 90% of their lives on it. Thank you for stopping in to read and for your comments. ♥
DeleteAlways the beauty of going away is the coming back
ReplyDeleteGlen, the homecomings are always the best part. After his being away for 3 weeks there is always a little shyness at first. About the time we fall in step with each other again, it is time for him to leave. It is rough, but we seemed to have made it work so far. ♥ Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.
DeleteMy love worked for Coke for 25 years as a driver and had to get the truck license b/c Coke phased out a lot of the side loaders in favour of the 18 wheelers. He works for himself now; has a dispatcher in Sandwich who sends him out. He is licensed in MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, NY and NJ. I don't work b/c I need to be available to pick him up whenever he gets into town, even if it's just for a couple hours b/t loads. And like you, I get teary eyed when he leaves; sometimes I go home and weep.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, How cool that he worked for Coca Cola!! I know exactly what you mean, and where you are coming from. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteYour posts have been such an education for me into a trucker (and a trucker's family) life. Thank you for sharing so openly and for the service that he provides to all of us. I have alwasy respected truckers, but have a new found knowledge of them now that makes it just alittle deeper.
ReplyDeleteAmy, Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. I am so pleased you enjoy what you find here. ♥
DeleteThe size of American trucks always amazed me (ours in the UK seem to be much smaller), and of course your truck drivers have thousands more miles to drive than ours here. It must be so hard being without your husband for such long periods.
ReplyDeletePaula, sometimes it is harder than at other times. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments. ♥
DeleteI work for a trucking company (with over-the-road, regional and local drivers) in the billing department - I'm the person the drivers turn their paperwork into to process so we can all get paid! I'm in a room with our dispatchers and see that side of the business - it's nice to read the family side of things!
ReplyDeleteLisa, ahh the lady who makes payday happen. Cool! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed reading from the family's perspective. ♥
DeleteAs I have told you before, my dad drove truck while I was in high school and was gone most of the time. I didn't think it was a bad thing, I enjoyed his home comings and I never felt neglected. I also married a trucker and found the week-end husband thing worked for me! I actually liked it a lot. You gotta be independent and you gotta be capable as you well know. It works for a lot of people and it's a life choice. You do very well with your choices.
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Jo, it is a life choice and not everyone is cut out for it. It seems to work for me too. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteMy Mister was an OTR driver and we didn't have many complaints. Granted we didn't have lit'l ones at home but it can be a good life. That being said, with the Mister now retired and home all the time, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I missed him! A lot! :)
ReplyDeleteMagical Mystical Mimi, I miss my husband too and look forward to the day he retires and we can be together all the time. I can't quite fathom it, but it sure would be nice. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your post, Kathy. Of course, I can identify with your story because my husband was an OTR driver for nine years. It was a big adjustment for us being in our late 50s. But we had no little ones, he was making more money and he was realizing a dream. He had always wanted to drive a big truck since that's what he did in the Army when he was a young fellow. But, he didn't think it was fair to the family when our daughters were young.
ReplyDeleteSo, it was a wonderful relief for him to take the opportunity late in life when we were in a financial bind. It was hard having him away from home for 3-6 weeks at a time but I knew he would be at home every night if he could. The homecomings were wonderful and every minute was appreciated. We did have our daily phone call and he would often drive through the towns where our daughters lived and spend time with them. He got to see more of our distant relatives than when he wasn't on the road.
Then, I was able to retire at 62 (still have a little income) and ride with him for those last four years. And -- that was great to be with him 24/7. We had some neat experiences and maybe you can do that after the younguns are on their own.
Thanks for the post about truckers and thanks for letting me go down memory lane.
Betty, my dad's dream was for my mom to go with him all over. Unfortunately she got sick and died. He looked forward to spending his retirement with her. Once she was gone, he didn't see much point. Sad really. I enjoy your jaunts down memory lane and sharing them with me. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your wonderful comments!
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