Honestly I was hoping that this first post would be more of a year in review/what we are hoping for the new year kind of post. I will get to that post eventually.
These last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult ones. We enjoyed our family time with the Colonel being on vacation. Then the next week there weren't a lot of loads so the Colonel was kind of on vacation but not. Time that was presented as family time turned into swapping trucks and doing a test. 3 trucks in less than 2 months, but that is a post for the Colonel should he so choose.
We've been adjusting back to the routine and dealing with the inconsistencies of trucking.
Last year I did a lot of keeping my mouth shut. I don't know any other truckers wives and there aren't a lot of people around that I can talk to, even less that actually understand. Sometimes it would be really nice to not have to explain everything in great detail just so someone can understand what we are going through.
As a trucker's wife, I've got a lot on my plate. Not as much as some I'm sure. But it's my responsibility to handle the kids, keep the household running, often times making decisions alone that under regular circumstances the Colonel should be helping me make, and of course supporting the Colonel. The new year began and my mind went to overload. Even with handling one thing one step at a time it still is a lot.
There is so much pressure from trucking companies and trucker sites for everyone to give the trucker their 100% support, to be extra understanding and all that. Yours may not be like that, but everything I've come in contact with is. There is very little support for the actual family that is supposed to be giving all this support plus keep everything going at home.
We wives are only human. We cannot accomplish the super human things that are asked of us without some support and understanding ourselves. We are the ones on the front lines keeping everything running so that you truckers can focus on driving. We are handling the work of two parents by ourselves. That in itself is extremely draining. We are keeping the household running. And I know in my situation, I do an awful lot for my trucker as well (shopping for his food, keeping his clothes clean, etc.). The one that gets lost in all of this many times is the wife. So truckers my only suggestions are don't forget about those that support you. Do not take them for granted. Do not just dump on them about the traffic, the truck that doesn't want to work, or whatever else there is going on. Acknowledge how much they do to make your life easier. Appreciate them. Make an effort to connect with them, ask them about their day, something they liked, etc. When they need you to listen make an effort to do so and really listen and try to connect and talk about whatever it is. If your wife doesn't know any other trucker's wives chances are you are all she has to really talk to. We are only human. We have hearts just like everyone else. We can only handle so much on our plates and can only handle so much of someone else's troubles before we burn out too.
