Anyone who owns a cell phone understands well about the voids and black holes of coverage. Although most people with cell phones who hardly ever travel will rarely be bothered by the nuisance of the void, truck drivers who crisscross the countryside on a daily basis in the quest of getting from A to B on time pass through the void often. Being the wife of a trucker, I am also affected.
When I last spoke to my husband to tell him I was calling it a night and heading to bed he warned me that he would be disappearing into the void today. That means that I will play hell getting a hold of him. I appreciate when he warns me of this fact because otherwise I would worry if I tried nonstop to reach him and couldn’t.
Communication between truck drivers and their families has come a long way since I was a little girl. When I was growing up there were no cell phones. My Dad entered the void as soon as he pulled out of the driveway. If there was an emergency and my Mom needed to reach my Dad she had to contact the state police and have him tracked down, pulled over, and informed to call home. In other words, as soon as he left she was on her own. Any problems that arose she had to deal with herself. My Dad would call home every Wednesday and Sunday night like clock work. As a kid I remembered how hard it was to find things to say to my Dad on these occasions. He would be gone 2-6 weeks at a time. When he was home he was always busy working on his truck. I got used to him being gone and because of that I became extremely close to my mom and shy around my Dad. As much as I loved my Dad, I don’t really feel I got to know the man he was until he took an early retirement and was around all the time. That is when I discovered what a cool, funny guy he was. It was then that I truly began to appreciate him and the sacrifices he made to give his family a good life.
With the invention ofcell phonescommunication between truck drivers and their families opened up considerably. My kids don’t see their Dad any more than I seen mine, but they do talk to him daily. Because of cell phones he is able to still be part of their daily lives. He hears about their successes and consoles them on their bad days. Thanks to the camera and video capabilities he was able to see my daughter dance during the parent observation sessions of her class. He is able to see how my son looks in his new haircut, or even the award he received for integrity almost immediately. If anything is going to go wrong it usually manages to do it while he is on the road. I still have to deal with whatever comes to the best of my ability ultimately alone. The only difference is that with cell phones his input and advice is only a phone call away. Having him in my ear is better than not having him at all. It has always given me great satisfaction to know I handled a situation on my own, even if he was giving me his two cents in the process.
No, cell phones will never replace being home with us, but they do shed light on the void. He is still present in our daily lives, except for when he enters a void of non coverage and then we only need wait until he reaches the other side to communicate until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
that would make me nuts not being able to reach my husband with small children. Occasionally hubby has to travel to this high security place where he's not allowed to bring his cell phone. I'm always sure that's when there will be some emergency and I'll need him! Call me a pessimist.
Sandra, sometimes it does make me a little crazy. Especially if I am in the middle of a crisis. When he gives me fair warning that yes he will be in a bad area, and that yes he is probably OK and not dead, then I don't worry. I have had emergencies with the kids that I have agonized about because one of them has been hurt, and then I can't get a hold of him at all. It drives me insane. It is not that he could do much about it when he is a million miles away, but it would be nice to have him to talk to when I am losing my mind. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
The voids of cell phone keep getting better. I looked into getting a mobile phone back in the 80s but it was so expensive and seemed so impractical that I decided not to. I did have a CB radio for a while.
Lee Please help me reach 100 followers at: A Few Words An A to Z Co-host blog My Main blog is Tossing It Out
Arlee, I agree, it is getting better. There are still the voids out west through the mountains where we have difficulty. Cell phones have gotten a whole lot cheaper in recent years. We have a couple Straight Talk pay as you go phones. It costs us $45.00 a month per line for unlimited everything which is cheap compared to some of the other cell phone packages out there. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
I too, have truckers in the family, and the cell phone has made an incredible difference. Parents in law were in a traffic accident, and we were able to call the brothers who were well away on the road, and keep them updated on how everyone was doing (fine, but the stuff the parents were hauling was toast...), and are able to let them get things taken care of with banking and mail, when they need it, with just a call. BUT, boy do I know about voids. People know to call our home phone, not the cell, we LIVE in a void!!
Cat, since no one who I would ever want to talk to was the only people calling the home phone I did away with it and went to strictly cell phones. I like the void I live in and don't miss the home phone one bit. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
Those voids - you never notice them until you need to reach someone. Amazing what we take for granted, these days, that we can almost ALWAYS reach the ones we love in a matter of seconds.
Beverly, don't you just love those dropped calls? A person does get pretty used to having someone only a phone call away. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
It is wonderful that technology provides you a better way to communicate. Still must be tough to deal with the void times. We get so used to being able to instantly communicate with anyone nowadays that those voids can seem unbearable to us.
Amy, I especially hate it if something happens and I need to talk to him NOW and can't get a hold of him. He will eventually call me back, but it forces me to deal with things alone that I would rather not. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment.
As lousy as the voids are, imagine going back to pre-cell days and then just count your blessings! lol My mom would have loved being able to talk to my dad daily, though he was just a Sunday to Friday driver. He was home on Friday night until Sunday late night or early Monday morning. He never called home unless there had been a crisis of some sort when he pulled out. It was too expensive to call just to talk. That seems another lifetime...♥
Jo, I would absolutely hate it if I only talked to my husband twice a week. I would really miss him so much. With cell phones, it seems like he is always with me. After so long I miss him in the flesh, then at that point he needs to come home if you know what I mean. I just keep busy and the time marches on. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥
Paula, they still get a little shy on the phone and don't know what to say...but I encourage them to get on the phone and tell them to tell Daddy about their day. It means a lot to him, and I know in the long run keeping that communication line going is good for everyone concerned. I want them to know Daddy cares and is very much apart of their lives even though he is working. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
Cellies are a GODSEND for the trucking industry!!!! I don't know how we would have survived our long distance relationship this time last year w/o the cell phones. Because Russell's schedule changes daily, I am able to get texts advising me of last minute revisions to the plans. He was supposed to be home tonite thru all day tomorrow but as it turns out, he'll be home at 6 and leaving at 8 tonite.
JoJo, Amen!! I agree completely. My husband's company requires him to have a cell phone, but don't pay for it...which I think is a crock. He has worked at some jobs where they provided a phone, but he still had to have a personal one so that we could talk. He could only use the company phone for business. Don't you just love the unpredictability of truck drivers?? LOL Thanks for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥
It's interesting that you married a truck driver like your dad. I bet there were a lot of scary times before cell phones. Does your husband or dad have a cool CB handle?
Joyce, my husband was a truck mechanic when I married him, then he decided to drive them instead because he felt he could make more money that way. Back in my Dad's day I think it was more the thing to have a CB handle. His was Copperhead. He had a bald head. He also went by Curly, but his radio handle was Copperhead. I don't think my husband has one. I will have to ask him. LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
I have a good friend who is also a trucker, and he reminds me too, of those areas you call "voids"... I'm too sleepy to remember what he calls them, but it's something like that. I have also learned that when they go through state lines, or cross over the weigh stations they sometimes lose their connection. I hadn't really thought about it until you brought it up this way, but it is more likely that a trucker, and those he talks to would be familiar with the "void" zones. BTW... the pic with the road ending in the sky is awesome.
November Rain, yes we have run into those dead zones while crossing state lines. I thought that picture was pretty awesome too. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥
At least he warns you when he's entering the void! Communication has come such a long way...I'm glad you got to know your Dad during his retirement. Nice take on "V" Kathy!
Beachlover, I am glad he retired early at 62 or I would have completely missed out. He died shortly after turning 65. I am so pleased you enjoyed my V post. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
Gossip Grl, there is simply nothing more annoying than having a call drop when you are trying to get your point across!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.
Think I'm going to miss these letter challenges once you get through with "Z". You have really made them interesting, Kathy.
Yes, it certainly is wonderful how technology provides you and other trucker families with a better way to communicate. We get so used to being able to instantly communicate with anyone nowadays that something like those voids do make it rough. My daughter is one who was forced by her employer to use another carrier which has more voids (even at her home) and she's another one that had switched to only cell phones. Glad that her daughter and husband still have the old carrier.
My husband and I only use our cell phones whenever we leave the house. But, I won't leave home without it -- especially if I'm by myself. It's a real form of security to me.
Betty, cell phones are a true form of security and I know a lot of parents that substitute a cell phone for a baby sitter. I don't know if I am quite there yet. Children that have cell phones are getting younger and younger. I don't think my kids are there yet. I am so pleased you are enjoying the alphabet posts. They are going to get really tricky as we wind down to the end. Stick around for the wild ride. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!
Great post Kathy!! Glad that your kids get to talk with their Dad everyday. It makes a difference in their lives. :)
ReplyDeleteMary, I hope so...it sure makes all the difference in mine. ♥ Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
Deletethat would make me nuts not being able to reach my husband with small children. Occasionally hubby has to travel to this high security place where he's not allowed to bring his cell phone. I'm always sure that's when there will be some emergency and I'll need him! Call me a pessimist.
ReplyDeleteSandra, sometimes it does make me a little crazy. Especially if I am in the middle of a crisis. When he gives me fair warning that yes he will be in a bad area, and that yes he is probably OK and not dead, then I don't worry. I have had emergencies with the kids that I have agonized about because one of them has been hurt, and then I can't get a hold of him at all. It drives me insane. It is not that he could do much about it when he is a million miles away, but it would be nice to have him to talk to when I am losing my mind. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteThe voids of cell phone keep getting better. I looked into getting a mobile phone back in the 80s but it was so expensive and seemed so impractical that I decided not to. I did have a CB radio for a while.
ReplyDeleteLee
Please help me reach 100 followers at:
A Few Words
An A to Z Co-host blog
My Main blog is Tossing It Out
Arlee, I agree, it is getting better. There are still the voids out west through the mountains where we have difficulty. Cell phones have gotten a whole lot cheaper in recent years. We have a couple Straight Talk pay as you go phones. It costs us $45.00 a month per line for unlimited everything which is cheap compared to some of the other cell phone packages out there. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
DeleteI too, have truckers in the family, and the cell phone has made an incredible difference. Parents in law were in a traffic accident, and we were able to call the brothers who were well away on the road, and keep them updated on how everyone was doing (fine, but the stuff the parents were hauling was toast...), and are able to let them get things taken care of with banking and mail, when they need it, with just a call. BUT, boy do I know about voids. People know to call our home phone, not the cell, we LIVE in a void!!
ReplyDeleteCat
Cat, since no one who I would ever want to talk to was the only people calling the home phone I did away with it and went to strictly cell phones. I like the void I live in and don't miss the home phone one bit. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
DeleteThose voids - you never notice them until you need to reach someone. Amazing what we take for granted, these days, that we can almost ALWAYS reach the ones we love in a matter of seconds.
ReplyDeleteBeverly, don't you just love those dropped calls? A person does get pretty used to having someone only a phone call away. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteIt is wonderful that technology provides you a better way to communicate. Still must be tough to deal with the void times. We get so used to being able to instantly communicate with anyone nowadays that those voids can seem unbearable to us.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I especially hate it if something happens and I need to talk to him NOW and can't get a hold of him. He will eventually call me back, but it forces me to deal with things alone that I would rather not. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment.
DeleteAs lousy as the voids are, imagine going back to pre-cell days and then just count your blessings! lol My mom would have loved being able to talk to my dad daily, though he was just a Sunday to Friday driver. He was home on Friday night until Sunday late night or early Monday morning. He never called home unless there had been a crisis of some sort when he pulled out. It was too expensive to call just to talk.
ReplyDeleteThat seems another lifetime...♥
Jo, I would absolutely hate it if I only talked to my husband twice a week. I would really miss him so much. With cell phones, it seems like he is always with me. After so long I miss him in the flesh, then at that point he needs to come home if you know what I mean. I just keep busy and the time marches on. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteIt's great that your kids get to talk to their Dad so much compared with your own experience as a child. The progress of technology has been amazing!
ReplyDeletePaula, they still get a little shy on the phone and don't know what to say...but I encourage them to get on the phone and tell them to tell Daddy about their day. It means a lot to him, and I know in the long run keeping that communication line going is good for everyone concerned. I want them to know Daddy cares and is very much apart of their lives even though he is working. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteCellies are a GODSEND for the trucking industry!!!! I don't know how we would have survived our long distance relationship this time last year w/o the cell phones. Because Russell's schedule changes daily, I am able to get texts advising me of last minute revisions to the plans. He was supposed to be home tonite thru all day tomorrow but as it turns out, he'll be home at 6 and leaving at 8 tonite.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, Amen!! I agree completely. My husband's company requires him to have a cell phone, but don't pay for it...which I think is a crock. He has worked at some jobs where they provided a phone, but he still had to have a personal one so that we could talk. He could only use the company phone for business. Don't you just love the unpredictability of truck drivers?? LOL Thanks for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥
DeleteIt's interesting that you married a truck driver like your dad. I bet there were a lot of scary times before cell phones. Does your husband or dad have a cool CB handle?
ReplyDeleteCatch My Words
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Joyce, my husband was a truck mechanic when I married him, then he decided to drive them instead because he felt he could make more money that way. Back in my Dad's day I think it was more the thing to have a CB handle. His was Copperhead. He had a bald head. He also went by Curly, but his radio handle was Copperhead. I don't think my husband has one. I will have to ask him. LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments.
DeleteI have a good friend who is also a trucker, and he reminds me too, of those areas you call "voids"... I'm too sleepy to remember what he calls them, but it's something like that. I have also learned that when they go through state lines, or cross over the weigh stations they sometimes lose their connection. I hadn't really thought about it until you brought it up this way, but it is more likely that a trucker, and those he talks to would be familiar with the "void" zones. BTW... the pic with the road ending in the sky is awesome.
ReplyDeleteNovember Rain, yes we have run into those dead zones while crossing state lines. I thought that picture was pretty awesome too. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!! ♥
DeleteAt least he warns you when he's entering the void! Communication has come such a long way...I'm glad you got to know your Dad during his retirement. Nice take on "V" Kathy!
ReplyDeleteBeachlover, I am glad he retired early at 62 or I would have completely missed out. He died shortly after turning 65. I am so pleased you enjoyed my V post. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!!
DeleteI agree. The Void is one of my biggest peeves with my cell service.
ReplyDeleteGossip Grl, there is simply nothing more annoying than having a call drop when you are trying to get your point across!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments.
DeleteThink I'm going to miss these letter challenges once you get through with "Z". You have really made them interesting, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteYes, it certainly is wonderful how technology provides you and other trucker families with a better way to communicate. We get so used to being able to instantly communicate with anyone nowadays that something like those voids do make it rough. My daughter is one who was forced by her employer to use another carrier which has more voids (even at her home) and she's another one that had switched to only cell phones. Glad that her daughter and husband still have the old carrier.
My husband and I only use our cell phones whenever we leave the house. But, I won't leave home without it -- especially if I'm by myself. It's a real form of security to me.
Betty, cell phones are a true form of security and I know a lot of parents that substitute a cell phone for a baby sitter. I don't know if I am quite there yet. Children that have cell phones are getting younger and younger. I don't think my kids are there yet. I am so pleased you are enjoying the alphabet posts. They are going to get really tricky as we wind down to the end. Stick around for the wild ride. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your comments!
Delete