Coming Off The Road For A While

Hi all,

I realize I have not posted on the forum for sometime. Despite the freight slow down nationwide, I have been blessed to work for Marten Transport whom has kept me busy with plenty to haul despite the current economic impacts/setbacks. For any of you new members my nickname and my call sign OTR is Moe. The resources online here at TT helped me many years ago while I was looking into trucking, dealing with the challenges of getting into the industry , my CDL training (and five times failing the test) as well as navigating my first employment within the business. I thought I would just pop back in now that I have a minute and check in again.

As the title of the subject says -I need to come off the road for a bit and have already returned my truck back to Marten. Reasons are threefold -

First and most important- I had to get mom placed into end of life care (hospice) while I was OTR in Laredo TX (was running freight to and from our transfer station vendors there) when I got the call that she had almost died due to contracting pneumonia from a sinus infection. She did pull through but the doctors informed us that she cannot live on her own anymore (too weak to manage daily living). So in addition to the hospice stuff , we now are sorting out getting her house ready to sell etc. God is good though, the VA will pay her end of life care expenses 100% (we got that news on Weds, this week!). It was a hard decision to make but being her PoA (power of attorney) it is/was my responsibility to make the hard call. Won't lie, I was in tears that night, hurt like hell (pardon me)

Second- I had already been planning to move into my brother's house in Florida as he and family desired me to be closer around. That said, I do have a life in Oregon that I am trying to wrap up and pack while dealing with mom's issues. I had planned to clean the truck off in mid August for a brief LoA to move, but mom's issues have accelerated and lengthened the timeline a bit.

Third - I have been running almost non stop for about three years straight and I also need to tend to myself for a while - running is great , but we need to know when its time to come to a season of rest. Trucking will always be there - no matter who is in office , world events or whatever, as long as I have my CDL -I can come back to it.

Good thing is I am working with Marten on this and they have told me we can and will work through it and come back when the time is right- so I still have my job waiting for me when I get things settled and resolved.

I just wanted to share what is going on and just ask for prayer and good wishes. I want to also share how grateful I am for some of the tuff love I got here in the beginning because listening did pay off. I have a great career with a great carrier and also the great paychecks enabled me to save up a substantial sum in order to cover my expenses fully while I am out (the moving, rent in OR and FL , airline tickets , bills etc). I am not stressed because I have 2 things - a God who is in control and a great career which enables me to handle business and not have me and my loved ones stressed out because I am unable to pay for things (been there and its horrible).

The last couple of weeks really did slam home to me what is important in life - family and loved ones. Trucking just allows us to provide better for them and to be there financially for them when it REALLY counts (such as the time I am going through now). Just remember that whomever reads this focus on what matters- we never know how much longer we or those around us have.

God bless y'all -stay safe.

Moe

Prayers for you and your family Moe. Glad to hear your faith is strong as it really helps a lot to get through such challenging times. God bless.

🙏🙏🙏 Sorry to hear about your Mom. Your statement about God, TT and this career reflects my experience as well.

I hope your transition is as smooth as possible and you’re able to get some well-earned rest.

God’s Peace be with you!

Moe,

I am very sorry to hear about your Mother. I have been there and done that and it doesn't get any easier no matter who has to deal with this situation.

You are blessed with a strong list of commitments to God, family and yourself and you will be fine. I respect your outlook and plans moving forward and Marten seems to be a class act to be working with you when the time is right.

Good luck to you and I'll keep you and your Mom in my prayers.

Thank you all for kind words, prayers and well wishes. It is much appreciated!

Moe

Godspeed buddy! Your family is in my prayers ❤️💪🏼

Moe I’m very sorry to hear about your mom. Your family is in our prayers.

You do what you need to do and trucking will still be around when you get things sorted out. Family and taking care of yourself is what is important right now.

Thanks again for the well wishes. I am just working on packing right now. I have forgotten how much work it is to pack a house as I have not done it in a long time. So I am sorting through what comes with me and what does not. That in and of itself is WORK.

I had mom's long term care plan meeting today via tele conference (Zoom on laptop) and she is hanging in there. We have her stabilized since her pneumonia but her lung capacity is garbage ( to be honest and hopefully not in too much distaste). To put in perspective, the human lung runs from your upper chest (the upper breast for a woman) down to just below your ribcage. The doctors informed me she is using only upper third of her lung which is the top of her breast bone down to upper lower part of her chest. Everything below that is dead scar tissue. She has pulminary fibrosis. So she is actually breathing on about 45 percent of her capacity.

That is all the update I have for now. I will keep in touch.

Be safe out there everyone please, no freight is worth our lives.

Moe