After six years, and upwards of three quarters of a million miles, Sherlene is coming in off the road.
Six years ago this month, Sherlene and I began our careers in truck driving. We were nervous. We didn’t know if we would like the job, we didn’t know if we could do it, and we didn’t know if we could do it together 24/7, six weeks at a time. It was a steep learning curve.
When I married Sherlene, just over nine years ago, I quickly realized she was a beautiful caterpillar. Wonderfully fascinating, but pretty much stuck to the ground. By the Grace of God, she has become a butterfly. In the last six years, I have watched as her wings unfolded, and then dried. As she became more confident in who she is, and what she does, she has tested her wings from the drivers seat of an eighty thousand pound vehicle. It has been an absolute joy to watch.
Today, her wings are taking her somewhere she has never been. She is coming home to be the full time keeper of our home. Since graduating High School, she has always been a primary, at times the only, bread winner. Driving truck has allowed us the freedom to change that, and so we are. Oddly enough, the change is not without trepidation on her part. There will be new things to learn, new experiences to test the wings of my beautiful butterfly.
I will miss her on the road. When we began this big adventure, Sherlene was excited about the prospect of “knowing the United States like most people know their own town.”, and we have. Sherlene is the one that knew what our route would be, and where the truck stops were, as soon as she knew where we were going. We have enjoyed the miles together, this is a beautiful land, and we called all of it home for years.
I am so proud of her. Not many women would do what she has done. In using her wonderful wings she has lifted both of us to vistas that thrill us with the grandeur of a new future. She fulfilled my dream of traveling around the next bend, and then over the next hill. She fulfilled my dream of a mate that stands next to me, on the same level, working in the same direction. She showed me what a real woman is. Delicate as a butterfly, strong as the wings that carry her up and over all the obstacles.
I am failing now to express the words my heart feels so profoundly. I am grateful beyond measure. I Love you like all the miles, and all the smiles, and all the sunsets, and all the…
Thank you.
Ahhhh, you both are on our best beloveds list. What a tribute, what a blessing you have been to each other, and us. Love it that you wrote it now, said it now, what most people only feel brave enough to say at a funeral. Big hugs. Happy gardening and baking Sherlene. Blessings…….
What a happy post. How exciting that life, as it changes, continues to hold surprises. Do enjoy the next chapter!
What a beautiful post!
May you enjoy this next step, Sherlene!
(btw – the title made me think you were going to add “and watermelon wine” – like a Tom T Hall song)
Blessings to you both!
Nicely said Kevin and nicely felt:) Very happy for Sherlene and so glad you had such an adventure together!
Love to you,
Sandra and Dave
Very Sweet. She certainly has my admiration in all she’s accomplished. Thanks Kevin for sharing!
Kevin, that is so sweet and generous of you to write what you did. She IS amazing, and through it all, she has been my friend mile after mile too. Again I ask, can we clone you??
What a beautiful post. I never thought about the parallels between truck driving and sailing, but of course! You make it sound do romantic. Thank you!