Moving On

I was taught 11 years ago to drive a truck (which was my dream as a child). My husband drove since the early ’70s and when I met him he took time off from the road. Our adventure began in 1999 out of Idaho. I was allowed with my permit to drive while he sat in the front seat.

I was scared to death but excited as well. I finally felt comfortable enough to get my CDL (after a year, not 12 weeks), and we started doing the team thing. We spent 6 years as a team and in November 2005 my father had a massive stroke and passed away. Not more than 3 months later my husband suffered a massive heart attack while we were loading for a trade show in New York. This load would have taken us to Las Vegas, which is where his family is. On the way to the hospital my husband was talking and laughing when all of a sudden he died instantly with no notice. We just pulled up to the hospital, which was only 5 minutes away. I had to sell our home, truck (which I got screwed on by a fellow driver) and our personal vehicle. I then set out looking for company driving jobs. I was never aware of how empty it would be without him. I had my mom come with me on trips so I wasn’t alone. My first year and a half I don’t even remember. It was like a dream.

I worked for several companies before I decided to go back to being an owner-operator. At that point I was ready to move forward. I have been an O/O for the last 2.5 years again and love it. I live in Florida and run to Cali and then back home for a few days. I managed on my own to run and operate this truck pulling a flatbed trailer. I believe I have conquered the tough times and will always be ready for the next adventure.

There are so many women drivers out here and really we should stick together and realize we can do it, too. I hope this can be an inspiration to all the truckers who lost loved ones out here and to all the women who are just starting out — and to women who have been out here awhile.

At some point the loneliness disappears, and you realize just how content you are being alone but still enjoy the times with others. You learn a lot about yourself being alone.

The industry has changed quite a bit just since I’ve been out here. I love to hear the stories from the past because that’s when truckers pulled together and respected each other. I travel with little dogs that I have rescued, and they are by far the best companions. They don’t give me a headache.