ALT-1 Traveling for Work the Life of a Trucker
Six months ago I quit my job of 19 years to go on the road with my boyfriend. He is a furniture mover contracted by a major moving company. We go into peoples homes, pack them up, and move them.
For the first two months all I could think was, 'What the hell have I done?' I gave up a comfortable life to live with a man in a moving box! They were the hardest, cruelest, and most challenging two months I have ever lived through! We left in November and stayed out on the road working until the middle of January. Most of our work was in Denver, Co., a really really cold place in winter. For a girl raised in the country that had lived in Fl. for the last 20 years, it was a rude awakening for me. Work went on through rain or shine, through snow and sleet, through bad hair days and depression days. My boyfriend had done this most of his life so was a veteran at it. It was like a marriage to him. In sickness and in health...the show must go on. I, however did not make out as well. I was plagued by homesickness, loneliness, and a serious case of self pity. He hung in with me but there were times when I know he just wanted to open the door and boot me out. And there were times when I wanted to open the door and jump out. Many times we just retreated to our private corners, neither of us knowing what to do or say, just hoping things would get better. I called my Mother more in those two months than I had in my whole life. She never failed to cheer me up and give me pep talks. 'Hang in there' became my motto. That and 'I'm at the mall-I'm at the mall'..... By the time we got home I honestly didn't know whether I would go back out with him. We loved each other very much. But living in a 6 x 8 ft. truck with no bathroom twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week would be a trial to any couple. I had not lived with anyone for the past 10 years and he had never driven with anyone on board. So it was a rude awakening for both of us and a hard adjustment to say the least. I know we were both relieved to be home. And you know what they say,'What does not kill you makes you stronger'.
So after taking the month of Feb. off I was renewed and ready to get back on the truck. And wonder of wonders, I knew what to do and how to do it. My attitude was different for some reason. I felt like we were partners working together instead of boss and useless helper. So things have been different and better. Still hard at times but that's how life is. Ups and downs, right? And I've started an on-line journal called 'Tales From the Road'. I tell about our customers and experiences of our travels for my family and friends. Interesting for them and therapy for me. So wish me luck and sunny side up!.
