‘Never To Late’
http://www.nevertoolate.org/
My youngest son has this saying he says every so often; “This is my best day ever�. Well yesterday was one of mine. No I got nothing and it had nothing to do with me. So here I go and describe what many people did to make an 85-year-old lady ex-truck driver’s day. It may be patchy so bear with me.
2 ½ weeks ago I received a call asking if I would help a little lady who wants to step back in time and ride in a semi truck again. In her day, now 85-year old (born on Valentine's Day in 1920) Essie Chapman drove a semi truck with her husband Pete (now deceased) for a coal mining company that her family owned in Hawesville, KY (Hancock County, KY). On her assessment sheet at the long term care facility, she is quoted as saying, "one of my proudest accomplishments was that I drove semi-trucks."
Essie heard how comfortable these newer rigs are, with sleeping quarters and a small refrigerator to keep the driver's food cold. Her wish was to see for herself how much these over-the-road trucks have changed over the years. Essie wanted to get back up in the cab, take a ride down the road for an hour or so, stop and get a hamburger at a fast food restaurant, and then head back to Oakwood Health Campus in Tell City, Indiana.
Well yesterday it happened!
1 week ago her friends gathered with her for a same gathering to inform her that her wish has come true. They gave her a small toy truck symbolizing to her she will once again ride in the cab of a truck. From the pictures I saw she cried her eyes out in happiness.
That day and several time yesterday she said “I wish my husband and son were still alive to see this�.
To set up the excitement yesterday they had all her friends, staff, and her daughter gather by the main entrance of the nursing home as the truck came to pick her up. Of course, I had to give a couple toots on the air horn, which started her and everyone clapping. After many pictures the staff loaded her into the truck, and got her safely strapped in. For her care and fun two of the staff members also rode in the truck.
Then we hit the road: To add to her celebration one of her friends chatted for a short time with her on the CB radio with all the lingo we used many years ago. Her first comment was how much better trucks ride these days. (She hasn’t been in the cab of a truck for almost 30 years).
While we drove down roads that she once drove on herself we chatted about coal mining, coal hauling, and her trips to Chicago to pickup heavy machinery with her husband, and how they slept in the seats back in those days. This lady was a sharp an axe. She knew every old town, coal mine, people that have long gone, dance hall, and restaurant & diner in both Indiana and Kentucky.
Our goal that day, which we accomplished, was to go to the Flying J Truck Stop in Haubstadt, Indiana have lunch and return to Tell City.
The Flying J people were great! The management and staff made the visit ‘Her Day’. I was so impressed how much attention and kindness (even hugs) they gave her on her dream trip in a truck. Including Essie we had eight people in our party (Essie, 2 of her friends, two staff members, two people from my company, and I). The Flying J placed her in prominence and gave her a hero’s welcome. We all ate well and talked about everything (she wanted to sit by the truck driver ‘me’ and talk trucking).
Again I want to say the Flying J management and staff at the Haubstaubt location was the greatest. They treated her like she was their mother and grandmother. They gave her several gifts that she will treasure for the rest of her days. The management also gave her a tour of the Truck Stop.
Now some may think touring a Truck Stop sounds silly. But, to an old trucker who hasn’t been in one in years it’s a grand experience.
After the goodbyes and more hugs from the Flying J staff we loaded her back up in the truck for the return trip. On the way back she just smiled and purred like a cat. Again we chatted and talked about our families. Essie kept remarking how the Countryside has changed.
The hardest part for me was dropping her off the Healthcare Campus. Her ride was over and she was happy. Many people came together to grant her wish and it went better then expected. Essie will remember that day for the rest of her life. She was given many nice things to add to ‘Her Day’ that she will display and show her friends and family.
And trucking made many friends that day that will not be forgotten by the staff of Oakwood Health Campus in Tell City, Indiana, her friends, and her family. Trucking gave back something to one our own, this driver is proud to have been a part of it.
After a day like I had and being near to my wife’s 96 year old grandmother. It won’t have been right if I didn’t stop by her home with the truck and visit grandma. Grandma was so happy to see the truck and me, and listen to me describe “My best day ever�.
from our friend Tim
Timothy J. Begle
Dale, Indiana USA
http://stylinetransport.com/
http://www.nevertoolate.org/
My youngest son has this saying he says every so often; “This is my best day ever�. Well yesterday was one of mine. No I got nothing and it had nothing to do with me. So here I go and describe what many people did to make an 85-year-old lady ex-truck driver’s day. It may be patchy so bear with me.
2 ½ weeks ago I received a call asking if I would help a little lady who wants to step back in time and ride in a semi truck again. In her day, now 85-year old (born on Valentine's Day in 1920) Essie Chapman drove a semi truck with her husband Pete (now deceased) for a coal mining company that her family owned in Hawesville, KY (Hancock County, KY). On her assessment sheet at the long term care facility, she is quoted as saying, "one of my proudest accomplishments was that I drove semi-trucks."
Essie heard how comfortable these newer rigs are, with sleeping quarters and a small refrigerator to keep the driver's food cold. Her wish was to see for herself how much these over-the-road trucks have changed over the years. Essie wanted to get back up in the cab, take a ride down the road for an hour or so, stop and get a hamburger at a fast food restaurant, and then head back to Oakwood Health Campus in Tell City, Indiana.
Well yesterday it happened!
1 week ago her friends gathered with her for a same gathering to inform her that her wish has come true. They gave her a small toy truck symbolizing to her she will once again ride in the cab of a truck. From the pictures I saw she cried her eyes out in happiness.
That day and several time yesterday she said “I wish my husband and son were still alive to see this�.
To set up the excitement yesterday they had all her friends, staff, and her daughter gather by the main entrance of the nursing home as the truck came to pick her up. Of course, I had to give a couple toots on the air horn, which started her and everyone clapping. After many pictures the staff loaded her into the truck, and got her safely strapped in. For her care and fun two of the staff members also rode in the truck.
Then we hit the road: To add to her celebration one of her friends chatted for a short time with her on the CB radio with all the lingo we used many years ago. Her first comment was how much better trucks ride these days. (She hasn’t been in the cab of a truck for almost 30 years).
While we drove down roads that she once drove on herself we chatted about coal mining, coal hauling, and her trips to Chicago to pickup heavy machinery with her husband, and how they slept in the seats back in those days. This lady was a sharp an axe. She knew every old town, coal mine, people that have long gone, dance hall, and restaurant & diner in both Indiana and Kentucky.
Our goal that day, which we accomplished, was to go to the Flying J Truck Stop in Haubstadt, Indiana have lunch and return to Tell City.
The Flying J people were great! The management and staff made the visit ‘Her Day’. I was so impressed how much attention and kindness (even hugs) they gave her on her dream trip in a truck. Including Essie we had eight people in our party (Essie, 2 of her friends, two staff members, two people from my company, and I). The Flying J placed her in prominence and gave her a hero’s welcome. We all ate well and talked about everything (she wanted to sit by the truck driver ‘me’ and talk trucking).
Again I want to say the Flying J management and staff at the Haubstaubt location was the greatest. They treated her like she was their mother and grandmother. They gave her several gifts that she will treasure for the rest of her days. The management also gave her a tour of the Truck Stop.
Now some may think touring a Truck Stop sounds silly. But, to an old trucker who hasn’t been in one in years it’s a grand experience.
After the goodbyes and more hugs from the Flying J staff we loaded her back up in the truck for the return trip. On the way back she just smiled and purred like a cat. Again we chatted and talked about our families. Essie kept remarking how the Countryside has changed.
The hardest part for me was dropping her off the Healthcare Campus. Her ride was over and she was happy. Many people came together to grant her wish and it went better then expected. Essie will remember that day for the rest of her life. She was given many nice things to add to ‘Her Day’ that she will display and show her friends and family.
And trucking made many friends that day that will not be forgotten by the staff of Oakwood Health Campus in Tell City, Indiana, her friends, and her family. Trucking gave back something to one our own, this driver is proud to have been a part of it.
After a day like I had and being near to my wife’s 96 year old grandmother. It won’t have been right if I didn’t stop by her home with the truck and visit grandma. Grandma was so happy to see the truck and me, and listen to me describe “My best day ever�.
from our friend Tim
Timothy J. Begle
Dale, Indiana USA
http://stylinetransport.com/