Life is a highway

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“I wanna ride it all night long…”

You’re welcome for the ear worm. And yes, I’m so old that I was surprised anyone but Tom Cochrane had made any money with it. Our son was grown before the “Cars” movies, I had no idea Rascal Flatts had re-recorded it. I also don’t watch an abundance of movies. I think the best one ever made has already been done, and if I take time to watch a movie it’s probably going to be “Oh Brother Where Art Thou,” because it’s the best movie ever made in the history of movies. I think I mentioned that.

“I s’pose you boys want them chains knocked off…”“I s’pose you boys want them chains knocked off…”

Life really is kind of like a highway. You cruise along sometimes, looking at beautiful things and being thankful to have the experience of above-the-dirt in general. You sing along with the radio, open the windows to let in fresh air, and just flat-out get it across whatever road you’re on. It’s lovely when it all works like it should — it’s the reason we all continue doing it, even when we know it won’t last forever.

Along with all this loveliness comes some pretty cruddy stuff. It’s amazing how quickly a beautiful day can turn to poop when the sea of taillights engages in front of you. (Side note: you can increase your chances of avoiding this sea exponentially with a CB, I am here to tell you from personal experience.) But sometimes, even with the proper equipment and planning, the day turns to poop. Like when your daughter calls to tell you she’s been admitted to the hospital with a bad gallbladder and possible stomach ulcer, and you’re three hundred miles from her, and they might elect to do surgery right away.

Dangit. Just dangit a hundred times.

I am once again reminded, through personal experience, of the huge number of people who experience these things on the road. I can’t imagine the amount of stress it inflicts to have to leave when you know your kid is sick, but I do know finding out your kid is sick when you’re not there is incredibly stressful. I am again humbled by the people who do this job with grace and professionalism under such circumstances. You are my heroes.

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We were extremely fortunate to get home before she had surgery, and even more fortunate that she didn’t have a bleeding ulcer. A gallbladder removal and a couple days in the hospital recuperating, and she was able to go home to mend.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Ron Simonton, who we were running with when we got the news. He didn’t hesitate to take the front door; he and the trucking family at Shuman Specialized Transportation are greatly appreciated.

It’s time to get back on the highway, wave to the family, and hopefully ride it all night long. Let them truckers roll.