Stories from the Road: Starting Over

[Tobin S.]

A little John Lennon for your Saturday. I heard he wrote this song when he was getting close to turning 40. He thought that life started at 40.

Starting Over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJ2AoEwDvY

I had a dream last night. It was a good dream and I rarely have those. My dreams lately have been weird and scary. In last night's dream I was helping people load a truck that was going to a grocery store. Then I went to the grocery store and helped them stock the shelves. The we decided to have an impromptu game of baseball in the grocery store. I hit a home run and then did a commercial for a local food company. The tone of the dream was happy and I was at ease with myself.

I hung up my owner-operator hat yesterday and I hope I'll never put it on again. My truck is for sale. If you are interested in it, I'll give you money to take it off my hands.

On Sunday, I saw an ad in the paper for a local trucking company looking for a driver. On Monday, I went on in there and put in an application. A guy there interviewed me on the spot. When we first sat down he picked up a handful of about 20 applications and basically told me I didn't have much of a shot. But the interview went well. So well that he had me do a driving test and a drug test. Then I met the owner of the company. He acted like he wanted to hire me on the spot. I told them why I wanted the job and I think that might have helped me get in the door, but I didn't know if I had the job for sure.

I went out on the road and a couple of days later they called me and offered the job to me. I said yes. The place is about a mile away from my house. I'll just be driving around town and I'll be home every day. I will also feel good about what I'm doing. I won't go into details about the place, but I can say that they are good for the environment.

I started my journey in owner-operatorhood in Milwaukee. On the trip up there I saw some windmills in northwest Indiana and stopped to take a picture of them. Here is one of the pictures.



My last load as an owner operator took me up to Chicago. On the way back I passed those same windmills and the day was just as beautiful as it was when I snapped that picture last June. I had come full circle. When I bought my truck, I thought of myself as heading out on a great adventure. I was actually on a quest, but I didn't consciously realize it until later, and I had no idea what I was looking for. But I found it...yes, I did. And she's right right here with me...starting over. ;)

[PassingFair]

1. And you thought you'd lose your desire to write if you were happy....

I'm glad you were wrong about that!

[elleng]

13. ...

:thumbsup:

[xchrom]

2. excellent. nt

[Callalily]

3. You certainly did hit a home run here.

Glad that you are writing again.

[old mark]

4. Congratulations! I knew something would come your way, and I wish you every

success and happiness. I think the experience of being an OO really helped you along to find what you really want.
Thomas Edison supposedly said that he had never failed, he had succeeded in finding many things that did not work...

mark

[madmom]

5. It is so nice to hear a happy story. I am glad things are going so well for you!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Tobin...

I love stories that come full circle, and this one sure did! Beautifully written, as always...

I cannot tell you how happy I am for you and Jen.

May your road together always be smooth and beautiful...

I think your happiness has increased your eloquence!

:hug:

[rug]

7. Good move. Nothing beats coming home every night.

Here's more Lennon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Kh-IMKDqM

[elleng]

8. Such GREAT NEWS, Tobin!

You know how many of us look for your news every day? Not just your wonderful writing, but your STORY, better and better every day!

[femmocrat]

9. Congratulations, Tobin!

And much happiness. :hug:

[nolabear]

10. As always, I love reading your story. I'm glad you're happy!

[av8rdave]

11. Congrats!

And thanks for writing some more!

:toast:

[Tikki]

12. Oh Congratulations....

Close in is such a wonderful feeling...

Tikki

[elleng]

14. Forgot to mention earlier: What a great dream!

REALLY told your story, didn't it??? Happens to me sometimes too.

[Auggie]

15. That local trucking company is lucky to get you

Congrats, good luck, and safe driving

[redwitch]

16. Silly Tobin, of COURSE they hired you!

I am thrilled for you and Jen too. Sometimes really good things happen to really good people. :-)

[rurallib]

17. Keep the stories coming Tobin.

Looking forward to see where you turn next.

[Bertha Venation]

18. Tobin

Or may I call you Droopy?

Tobin, it has been interesting to read your odyssey as you have played it out for us here. I have always wished you the very best, as if my good wishes actually could've had an effect on your life. I'm happy that you've found joy with your beloved there.

:hug: from one who is chemically challenged, serious :hug:s

bertha

[laylah]

19. I am so glad for you, Jen, and

your well deserved joy. It is good to "see" you writing again. :hug: