There’s something ’bout a Truck

Ain’t nothin’ ’bout it luck, there’s somethin’ ’bout a truck. – Kip Moore

It’s just an old beat up truck some say that I should trade up now that I got some jangle in my pocket. But what they don’t understand is it’s the miles that make a man. – Dierks Bentley

There’s a lot of country songs written about trucks. Very few about cars…

What is it about trucks that makes people feel they need to immortalize it in song? Now, I’m no songwriter, but understand why there’s so much symbolism a truck has, especially for a country boy. I’m into vehicles. Have been since I was a little kid. Had a framed picture of a Lamborghini above my headboard for the better part of my childhood. My first car, an old ’78 Dodge Magnum, had me hooked on fun vehicles. There was nothing flashy about it, it was just a fun car to drive.

Next came a few Camaros, an Eagle Talon, and then I started to get more reasonable. College and living expenses went from my summer job being able to cover expenses for the year, to realizing if I want more than Minute Rice with Cream of Chicken or (yes…) the stereo-typical Ramen Noodles at lunch I needed to be more realistic about what would get you from point A to B.

That brings me around to today. My everyday vehicle is a 2005 GMC 1500 truck. This truck is more beat-up than a guy picking a fight with Conor McGregor. I love taking/picking up my kids at school in it. It’s the type of truck that a homeless guy would think twice about taking. The beauty of it though is when I look at this truck, I see all the decisions and experiences that got me to where I am today, and why I love that truck.

Where someone sees a missing fog light, I see our family driving through the woods cutting firewood together.

Where someone sees a cracked windshield, I see the great recession where I worked from 6:30 in the morning to 9:00 at night.

Where someone sees the dented bumper, I see driving in the quarries without a worry in the world.

Where someone sees a missing door handle, I see my wife Nikki being a stay at home mom and somehow able to manage a family schedule that I sure couldn’t do.

Where someone sees rusted out wheel wells, I see our first successful deer hunt for the boys. 

Where someone sees rusted out rocker panels, I see medical expenses to cure cancer.

Where someone sees a dented bed fender, I see money saved to send five kids to Catholic School.

See, a truck is more than just something that gets you somewhere. It’s a lifestyle and a workhorse that needs to be as dependable as your marriage. I’m not saying all trucks work that way. There are plenty of “pretty trucks” out there. They kinda fall more in-line with getting a minivan in the 90’s in my opinion. For me at least, it really just tells a story, what things are more important, and how being a family, and having a family business is not all sunshine and roses.

I probably could get another truck along the way, but I really don’t see the point yet. This truck has been a pretty good synopsis of my life the last 14ish years. Started out all shiny and bright, with that new-truck smell that you only get to appreciate for a short amount of time. Then, along the way life happens. Economy tanks. Ideals and expectations get thrown out the window. It turns into survival mode. I can say I feel better off for it.

You can’t plan for things to be different than they are, because even when you try, it’s not the plan. It’s some messed up version of what you hoped would transpire. What has gone down showed the old saying, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” It’s not the true “death” so to speak. The economy nearly killed the business; hardship made marriage difficult – just the stress of the unknown… And now it’s apparent; all these things are better off and stronger for going through hardship.

It’s like that truck. She’s seen a lot of miles in her day already. Some miles were harder than others. Some dents more memorable. At the end of the day, It’s the ride that makes each day worth getting up.

What’s that next sunrise going to bring? I can hardly wait to find out:)!