10-4 Magazine December 2022

10-4 Magazine / December 2022 59 I awakened to sunshine peeking through the bedroom curtains. There I was, I had been sleeping in my own bed. Grabbing my robe, I stumbled into the front room, then headed toward our kitchen. The aroma of turkey baking in the oven and fresh baked bread assaulted my scents. I was greeted by my wife, who looked concerned, as she rushed to greet me with hugs and asking a ton of questions. Looking out the window I could see someone had plowed the yard, but my truck was gone. Excitedly, I asked, “What happened to my truck? Where is it? Is something wrong? Why isn’t it parked in the driveway? I said, “There is so much I have to do before the dinner tomorrow night.” The faster I talked the more she smiled. At some point, I asked her what was so funny, and she explained that dinner isn’t tomorrow, it’s in two hours. “I hope you are feeling rested. You have been sleeping for more than 30 hours since you got home.” As she scurried around the kitchen, pouring me coffee, I got a scolding about “that old Peterbilt” and how she is always worried about that darned truck. “Your truck is just fine. Once again, it brought you home without a scratch. Somehow you piloted it through another horrible snowstorm. The boys stopped earlier to check on you and plowed the drive so you wouldn’t have to. They have taken it to the shop so they could mount your new Christmas present. It’s a surprise, so don’t tell them I told you. All of them chipped in and bought you a shiny new moose guard, just in case you ever get that dispatch to the top of the world. They wouldn’t want you to end up overturned in a ravine out in the middle of nowhere!” She went on to explain the storm had ended, but not before I had pushed through 18 inches of snow, drifts that were waist high, and ice under that. She had half the county out looking for me. Once they crossed my tracks up at the highway, they followed them right to the driveway. Somebody said the tracks were as straight as if the hand of God was driving. “It’s a wonder you could even see the road as sick as you were,” my wife said. She told me when I got to the house early yesterday morning I was shaking like a leaf and my fever was out of control. My strength was all but gone, and I could barely make my way from the truck into the house. After a struggle, they got me to eat some bean soup and a bologna sandwich before I fell asleep. Apparently, all day and most of the night, I kept babbling something about a watch and chain. My wife asked, “By the way Father Time, who is the old timer you were calling for, is he a friend? If not, he must be your guardian angel,” then, after a long pause, she turned and winked. Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. The last couple months have been tiring for me now that I’m back to work. I am slowing down some on my truckin’ and taking more time to enjoy family and friends. If this year has taught me anything, it is that a person’s wealth is not measured in money or monetary things. It’s the love and respect you have from those closest to you that is a true measure. I’m not sure of many things, but I do know Barb and I will be going to Arizona for a few months this winter for some rest and relaxation. But it’s a Christmas present to my wife, so don’t tell her... besides, my guardian angel needs a rest, too. Merry Christmas from Father Time, Aunt Barb, Penny the Pooch, and of course my guardian angel (The Old Timer). From all of us here in the Mitchell house to yours, may you have a joyous Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year, 10-4. n