LIfe as a Trucker's Wife is What You Make It

by Suzy
(Chatsworth, CA)

My honey is asleep upstairs right now. He got home at 4:30 AM this morning and he's leaving again at 1:00 AM tonight. I was aware that he got home because the dog woke me up when he started barking and took off down the stairs.

Scott was dirty and smelly (don't worry, not THAT dirty or smelly) and dog tired, but it felt pretty nice when he climbed into bed and cuddled up next to me.

I've been sick the last few days with a stupid cold, so the house wasn't very clean, but he pretended not to notice. I let him sleep until noon, while I went to the store and cleaned the bathroom. He woke up to hot coffee and pancakes.

It used to drive me crazy that he would just rotate through the hundreds of channels on the TV. I mean, COME ON, just pick one and watch it! But now it amuses me.

He settled on a documentary about some serial killer. I shared some trivial fact about truckers and serial killers with him and said the only cereal he was killing had milk on it. :)

I should say that I was disappointed this weekend. He was supposed to be home in time to go to a potluck with me last night. It's a monthly event and he hasn't been able to quite hit it yet.

First he told me he would be there, then he called an hour later and said he spoke too soon, there was one more load and he wouldn't make it until today. It made me sad, that's a normal emotion, and he said he was sad, too. But I knew I'd see him today and that put a smile back on my face.

Sunday night is family dinner night, so my adult son will be here, as well as my teenager. We are having Shepherd's Pie and roasted Brussels sprouts. Then I'll have him do all the heavy lifting, like putting the new water bottle on the cooler and taking the donation box to the car.

He always makes a face when I tell him he's my hero, but I know he never gets tired of hearing it. Then I guess we'll watch a little more TV. It's a simple life, but it's a nice one.

Life is really too short to fuss or fight about things that I can't change. I wish he were home more, but I accept this is the life of a trucker. Maybe he'll make it home next weekend, hopefully for Saturday night this time. But if he doesn't, I know he's thinking of me and missing me, too.

I've read so many things on this board that break my heart. Ladies, if your man is a kind and gentle guy like mine, give him a break and let him feel like you love him and appreciate him.

If he doesn't treat you right, get help. Get counseling, hopefully together, but at least by yourself. And don't let yourself be abused. I read a book about people who had all been married 50 years or more and one thing they said about making a marriage work was that anything can be worked through except for the 3 A's: Abuse, Adultery and Addiction.

If he is abusing you or cheating on you, get help and, if necessary, get out. But if he's not, if he's just trying to make a life for you and your family, try to meet him halfway and let him feel your love. You'll be surprised how far a little sugar will go.

I'm new here, so feel free to say hi. I'd like to get to know you all better. Not everyone understands our special lifestyle, but it can be worth it if you invest generously.

With love,
Suzy