What have you missed? All those times, away from family, away from home-just what do you think you missed? As a young lad, I can’t remember my parents not being home each and every night with very few exceptions. Looking back, I think most of my peers had complete families at night. Dad’s would drive to the larger city north of us to work, but that was just seventeen miles away, so the time was short. Funny about things you remember as a child. When I first wrote this story I titled it “Tell Them You Love Them, Often”. I decided to re-write it and mostly tell a story about Joe, often away from home.

Like many of you, I am sure, I had to do some traveling with my job. During my working career with State Government I spent many hours behind a desk and was home for my family most of the time, but ever once in a while I had to travel. There were meetings that had to be attended; meetings that dealt with my field of specialty. Naturally, I had to be away from home, from the wife and children. It was seldom for long periods, so we all adjusted. Then I changed jobs, I traveled during the week nearly every week to places all over the state-always tending to state business. One thing I did learn to do well is pack, no extra stuff for me. But you know, I traveled and was away from family, sometimes missing those special moments-like the first steps-the first word-the first tooth, games, recitals and such. I had to work, didn’t I?

Since most of us have traveled for our employer at one time or another, I think we can understand how inconvenient it is at times to be away from home and family. We often miss the little things-which become big things years later in our remember rooms. We say things like, “Do you remember—-such and such, so and so did when he was four?” No, I was on the road, remember? Let me tell you about Joe.

Joe had a good education, some college, but could not stand the idea of doing the same old thing everyday in the same way for the rest of his life. He loved the outdoors, so wanted something that allowed him to be outdoors a lot of the time. He loved driving and sight seeing the beautiful United States of America. So he reasoned what better way to be outdoors and see America than to drive a big rig, from coast to coast. When he first started he had to be a helper to an experienced over the road driver. This more experienced driver would serve as a mentor so to speak, teaching by example, and giving Joe some hands on experience on those long stretches of highway.