Tales from the Truckin’ Trail

I just finished the first week of my new lane (route) hauling Sears freight.  Here’s the schedule:  Tuesday begins early—3:00 AM–when I pick up a loaded trailer from Sears warehouse on Meyers and haul it to a huge distribution warehouse in Olive Branch, MS.  I do that once more and am finished for the day by 6:00 AM.  On Wednesday, I pick up a loaded trailer at the Meyers Street warehouse by 3:00 AM and take it to Florence, AL.  That mall store unloads their portion of the trailer then I take the rest to the Sears store in Decatur, AL.  I’m home by 3:00 PM or so.  Thursday beginning at 3:00 AM, I pick up a loaded trailer from Meyers Street and take it to Columbus, MS where they unload their portion, and I bring the rest back to the warehouse in Olive Branch.  I’m done for the day by 2:00 PM.  On Fridays I get to sleep in (out of the house by 5:30 AM).  I pick up a loaded trailer and drop it at the Sears at Wolfchase Mall by 7:00 AM.  I return to the Meyers Street warehouse, pick up another loaded trailer and take it to Jonesboro, AR where the mall store unloads its portion.  I drop the balance of the load at a regional distribution warehouse in Jonesboro and return home.  I’m finished by 1:30 PM or so.  So, that’s it; early mornings, short drives and home every night.  I like the schedule—not having to go through Atlanta, fewer weigh stations, etc.—even though I didn’t pick it.  It was assigned since I am lowest on the seniority scale.  The problem with this schedule, as I mentioned, is the pay.  Where before, my weekly drive was between 1800 and 2,500 miles, this new route is just under 1,000 miles.  “If the wheels don’t turn, I don’t earn.”  We’ll see what happens over the next month or so.

—————————–

Off the truckin’ trail for a moment…our holidays were wonderful with lots to eat, thoughtful gifts, and best of all, family and loved ones home.  Jesus, of course, gives meaning to this special time of year (as he does every day of the year).  On the practical level, however, there is one other who creates the special atmosphere that brings joy to all who experience it.  I’m talking about none other than my wife, Lynn.  She truly has the gift of hospitality and uses this gift to the fullest.  She bakes, makes, designs, assigns, wraps, frappes, decorates, delegates, purchases, furnishes, shops till she drops, sings, and rings in the holidays in such a contagious way that we all get the spirit early and enjoy it well into the new year.  From Thanksgiving through my birthday on January 5 (sorry you missed it), all Lynn does is aimed at pleasing others and making our time together very special.  If it were just me, our holiday season would not be the special time it is.  The testimony of all this is best realized in our sons who love to come home at holidays and all through the year.  Sadly, not every parent can say that.

 (left:  Lynn and Mitch)  One tradition we have is Christmas Eve snacks, more like a buffet of elegant finger foods.  Lynn prepares those little wrapped hot dogs, shrimp cocktails, bean dip, rotel cheese dip, stuffed mushrooms and more which we wash down with her special mango slushies.  It’s something we have done for years and well worth waiting a whole year for.  What’s your holiday tradition?

I’ll just bet if your holidays were special, it’s very possibily because of a woman…wife, mother, sweetheart daughter, or other—who makes it her mission to bring joy to others.  If you haven’t told her how much you appreciate and love all she does, shame on you…do it now!