I don’t like winter. I don’t like being cold, I don’t like driving in snow and I don’t like the wind, which at my house is a lot! On top of that, winters can be somewhat challenging for Andy and me with and all that indoor time for an outdoor kind of guy and few community activities that are easy for him to navigate. He does have three days scheduled to spend a few hours out, but bad roads and staff illnesses change our schedule often. I think most anyone reading this knows Andy’s life revolves around Big Rigs so therefore mine does too. In the warmer seasons he watches them from our yard for hours at a time in good weather, but as the weather gets colder his time out there get shorter. The older he gets the less time he spends out in the winter 10 degree with a -5-wind chill and the more he wants to watch from the comfort of a warm viewing area meaning we need to find that warm place. With limited options for viewing semis in the winter we are spending time at two local McDonalds, both of which seem to be the best places to watch semi traffic. At the smaller of the two there is a more constant stream of the beloved trucks, sometimes there are only semis with no other vehicles to clutter the view! Whoop Whoop!
Our experiences at these local businesses are good examples of the value of relationships making lives better just by being kind. In just the last couple weeks these are some of our experiences.
At McDonalds #1 there are three seat sections that are the best to view traffic from. If staff see us walk in they will save seating so Andy can have a spot that the semis can be seen as that is the main reason we are there. As of two weeks ago, some of the regular customers are now saving those spots for him! From the treasured seat, Andy whoops for each truck that passes. So far no one has complained about him using his outdoor voice to cheer for trucks indoors. People of all ages come up to us and comment about his love for the trucks which is the start of conversation for new relationships. A retired driver / regular customer has also started cheering at every passing rig with Andy. I hope we get thru winter and that they don’t kick us out for too much noise!
At McDonalds #2 Andy is teaching the cute waitresses what Kenworth’s look like. A trucking friend had given him a parts book and he kept showing the girls the Kenworth logo featured on some of the parts. Being teens, I had to explain what he was showing them. When they asked what a Kenworth looked like on que one came around the corner! One of the girls said her dad drove a truck but she did not know what kind but she was going home to ask him. I bet he was surprised when, after 16 years, his daughter wanted to know what kind of truck he drove! These kinds of interactions make a meaningful difference to us! What a fun memory for me as he finds ways to impress the girls just like all you guys with your trucks! On the flip side I see Andy making a difference as well. As he shares his love of the passing trucks I watch as others start looking for them for him. The surprising part is it is often women in their golden years who are the most engaged in this activity! Andy is the only person I’ve seen who gets women in their 70’s and 80’s excited about seeing big rigs in action! I see the smile on their faces as they walk away and know he brought some joy to them as well. Thank you, drivers, for showing up and doing your part in this!
In addition to the McDonalds experiences we have drivers who regularly honk some amazing horns when they pass our house. One delivers to a farm past our house and that driver honks on his way to the farm and again on the way back. Andy has finally learned how to do the arm pump for a honk, sometimes it’s after they have passed but at least he’s working on the action! Another driver from one of the semi shows we attend also let me know when he was passing our house so I could get Andy out to listen to those air horns! While Andy loves the moment, I am grateful for a long time for the thoughtfulness of every action and I know none of this would happen if he was not participating in the community for the relationships to be nurtured.
These are just a few examples of the values of community and how these small gestures have really made a difference for us these winter months! I am not as stir crazy as I am most years at this time of the winter season and am really enjoying all of these heartwarming events during these long cold winter months and no doubt Andy is enjoying it all. Each person who shows even the smallest of kindness to Andy, it makes a huge difference not only to him but to his mom as well!
This winter seems just a little warmer than others!
Kindness Matters!
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