I'm Thankful for Chuck....who's not just "doing a job"

Chuck and I were talking earlier this week...he got a message on the qual-com computer in his truck from the company headquarters that said they were trying to make an effort to get all drivers home for holidays, realizing the importance of home time and being with family. At the end of last week Chuck was in New York City and hauled a load 1400 miles down to Denver, Colorado...it took 4 days. When he got there he got another load taking him up to Iowa. When I first heard that I was really excited....thinking "maybe they're trying to get him home?!". It took a couple of days to get up to Iowa, and when he got there and made the drop he got another pre-plan....to North Carolina. I guess I was wrong...I'm pretty upset about him not being home for Thanksgiving. It's hard to be thankful when you're worried and missing your favorite person in the world. So we continued the conversation and I was talking about some pictures to use for Christmas cards that I might use the one with him in the truck with all 3 kids...he said "it's not all about me driving truck, it's just a job". This is where the disagreement started. See, it's not just a job. If it were just a job he would leave in the morning and come home at night or maybe work 3rd shift as he did for so long... but when he's not working on the truck he's sleeping on the truck or watching tv on the truck or eating on the truck. He's home 3 or 4 days a month. The truck is his lifestyle, now. I don't know how much more I can emphasize the fact that our life has changed because we have a new lifestyle. I know people probably get tired of me pining for him to come home, or wishing he was here, or feeling bad that he's giving up HIS holiday to be working. TONS of people do it - doctors, police officers, people who work in nursing homes and hospitals....and truck drivers. But this is the first time. I'm entitled to be disappointed. I've gotten very little support from friends and family - I don't know if they just don't want to hear it, or they have little empathy and caring for what our family is missing...I'm not going to get used to it because that means I don't care if he's here or not, and that won't happen. This is an extremely difficult time for us. When Chuck comes home after being gone, now, for almost 4 weeks Sam won't recognize him at first. It'll take 1/2 of a day for them to get reacquainted and he's only home for 2 at a time! So, sorry to bore you with my on-goings. This is our life, now, I'm trying to keep him involved in ours and you involved with his. I'm very proud of the sacrifices he's making. There are many people who make the choices he's made and also choose to divorce their spouses to pursue their careers. Most people are not strong enough to do both. It has not crossed his mind to make trucking a priority, he's out there day after day, in an extremely dangerous occupation (the 2nd most dangerous, according to MSN) and spending Thanksgiving alone so we can have a decent Christmas. I'm thankful for Chuck who is providing for my family RIGHT NOW. Thanks, honey, I hope you find a decent, clean, truck-stop that will serve a decent dinner for you on Thanksgiving. We miss you and love you.

XOXO
Robin