By: G. Ray Gompf, CD
My own 4.5-million-mile career driving a big truck caused me to think about “why am I doing this” way too many times; and truly, the reason never changed. For me, it was that incredible feeling of contribution. I’m not sure everyone considers their step in the supply chain, but having spent the largest part of my trucking career hauling food, my mind would often think of Mrs. Smith, in Moncton, preparing that Sunday meal for her family, which wouldn’t have been available for her without my efforts to get that western beef delivered to her eastern store for her to lovingly select it up just for her family.
It didn’t hurt that the route from an abattoir in Brandon to the Super Store in Moncton had some interesting scenery along the way. Using the exact same route every week was not boring in any way. You begin to realize that wasn’t just some random moose standing alongside the road but that it was a particular moose that you could recognize as an individual because of that white patch of fur on her shoulder. Because you knew that she had given birth to twins and that if you saw her, her twins weren’t that far away.
Then there’s noticing the subtle differences of the terrain as you spend your time in close observance. The ever-changing beauty of nature, not just from what you see as you travel through, but those subtle changes nature makes on a regular basis to this particular view from your windshield.
Many people see forests; I saw individual trees. Many people see creatures; I saw creatures in their chosen environment where I was the interloper. I would notice slightly broken twigs broken by large creatures pushing their way passed seemingly immovable objects.
I would see where forest fires had blackened large swaths of nature one week and where it was greening the next. Trees would be completely consumed one week to where seedlings were sprouting and greening within days, not weeks, months or years. Where nature kept the old and dead pruned out in favour of the new and vibrant. Where you realize the vastness of nature and the insignificance of the individual. Where you realize you’re a mere grain of sand on an everlasting beach.
It’s the sheer beauty of the constantly changing scenery that was my solace while enjoying the productivity of my position. I had specific skills, specific equipment, specific knowledge to make sure my task was done safely and efficiently while respecting that very nature through which I was travelling.
No matter what task is ours, it’s up to us to understand how our efforts are meaningful to others. It’s not just what we do to contribute but how it fits into the betterment of all. If we don’t understand our small part of the process, then we will probably miss out on the beauty we can bring to others. It’s that service to our fellow humans that makes our job so important. And it’s not just to our own mental well-being but to the mental well-being of those we serve.
The joy of service can be the best part of being a truck driver. If it’s important enough for a shipper to move their wares to another location, it’s important that we as truck drivers consider that importance paramount in our view of life.
Being a truck driver for me was simply the best service occupation I ever had. It truly gave me a feeling of contribution that nothing else did or could have done.
