The Long Road Home: One Drivers Viewpoint
by PD McCloud
The road is long. Sometimes it's straight, sometimes it's winding. Nonetheless, it is always a long road home.
It never fails, the last few miles home seem to drag on and on. You know your close, but not quite there yet. Your anxious to see your wife, your children, your grand-children. The highway seems to stretch farther and farther as you get closer to home. You've been gone for six long weeks and the anticipation of being with your family keeps you going those last, long miles of highway.
Your journey began six weeks ago when you gave hugs to your children and grand-children, when you kissed your wife goodbye. You tell her you love her, she tells you she loves you too. "Drive safe", she says as you step off the porch, walk across the lawn and step into your big truck. Your home away from home.
While on the road, away from home, you remember the smiles and laughter that your family shared. When you were home last. Those memories keep you company as the white line to your right guides you through the nights. When the dawn arises, you're looking forward to being able to talk with your wife on the phone, for just a little while.
City streets turn into country roads. Country roads turn into Interstate highways. All take you further away from that place you long to be. All keep you apart from those you left behind. Your thoughts are always on those left at home, while at the same time you must concentrate on the task at hand—to make that next delivery on time.
After the first two weeks, your thinking about your next long road home. When will it come? Probably not soon enough, you think.
Three weeks after leaving home, your mind begins to wander. You start to wonder if everything at home really is okay, as your wife has told you over and over again. Talking on the phone seems to no longer be enough. You long for that long road home again.
Four weeks on the road you begin to get antsy. You find yourself squirming in your seat more than usual. You know that soon you'll begin your journey on that long road to home again. But, soon doesn't seem to be good enough.
When you were younger, staying on the road for such a long time seemed easy. Now that your older, more wiser, you realize that you missed so much when you were younger. Your childs first step. Thier first day at school. You even missed their graduation. Time has taken its toll on you.
Week five rolls around and you find yourself stuck in a truck stop. Waiting for the winter storm to pass. Waiting for the roads to clear. Wondering if this will keep you from getting home on time. Your wife wonders the same thing, she tells you on the phone. Two days later, the roads are opened and your moving again.
Week Six, you'll be home again soon. Your becoming anxious again. Excited about being able to see your wife, your children and grand-children. You wonder about what has changed, will the house still look the same. Your getting closer again.
The road is long. Sometimes it's straight, sometimes it's winding. Nonetheless, it is always a long road home.
Read the full article
by PD McCloud
The road is long. Sometimes it's straight, sometimes it's winding. Nonetheless, it is always a long road home.
It never fails, the last few miles home seem to drag on and on. You know your close, but not quite there yet. Your anxious to see your wife, your children, your grand-children. The highway seems to stretch farther and farther as you get closer to home. You've been gone for six long weeks and the anticipation of being with your family keeps you going those last, long miles of highway.
Your journey began six weeks ago when you gave hugs to your children and grand-children, when you kissed your wife goodbye. You tell her you love her, she tells you she loves you too. "Drive safe", she says as you step off the porch, walk across the lawn and step into your big truck. Your home away from home.
While on the road, away from home, you remember the smiles and laughter that your family shared. When you were home last. Those memories keep you company as the white line to your right guides you through the nights. When the dawn arises, you're looking forward to being able to talk with your wife on the phone, for just a little while.
City streets turn into country roads. Country roads turn into Interstate highways. All take you further away from that place you long to be. All keep you apart from those you left behind. Your thoughts are always on those left at home, while at the same time you must concentrate on the task at hand—to make that next delivery on time.
After the first two weeks, your thinking about your next long road home. When will it come? Probably not soon enough, you think.
Three weeks after leaving home, your mind begins to wander. You start to wonder if everything at home really is okay, as your wife has told you over and over again. Talking on the phone seems to no longer be enough. You long for that long road home again.
Four weeks on the road you begin to get antsy. You find yourself squirming in your seat more than usual. You know that soon you'll begin your journey on that long road to home again. But, soon doesn't seem to be good enough.
When you were younger, staying on the road for such a long time seemed easy. Now that your older, more wiser, you realize that you missed so much when you were younger. Your childs first step. Thier first day at school. You even missed their graduation. Time has taken its toll on you.
Week five rolls around and you find yourself stuck in a truck stop. Waiting for the winter storm to pass. Waiting for the roads to clear. Wondering if this will keep you from getting home on time. Your wife wonders the same thing, she tells you on the phone. Two days later, the roads are opened and your moving again.
Week Six, you'll be home again soon. Your becoming anxious again. Excited about being able to see your wife, your children and grand-children. You wonder about what has changed, will the house still look the same. Your getting closer again.
The road is long. Sometimes it's straight, sometimes it's winding. Nonetheless, it is always a long road home.
Read the full article
