On Being Set Free to Live a Dream

A note of admiration and respect to my friend Michael: You go, Blue Rider!

Michael's previous employer 'riffed' him. Reductions in force are happening in all sorts of businesses, and many people look upon being laid off as a dismal and depressing event in life.

Not Michael.

Michael spent some time figuring out what he could do to match his love of travel with his need for a career change. Michael loves driving and hiking and drinking in the beauty of creation. Yes, there are ways to live out the joys of life in one's work, and Michael found his. Then he set about learning how to make his dream job come true. After a few weeks of training, he was granted his unlimited CDL (commercial driver's license), and he went to work for Werner Enterprises as a driver trainee. He put in his required driving time with an instructor-driver, and then got his own Werner-owned truck.

Today he and his trusty side-kick, Skittles, drive the highways of America delivering goods to distribution warehouses, everything from toilet paper to lawn mowers and more. The list of goods he has freighted over the road boggles the mind! When they stop for rest or a meal, he and Skittles take long walks, exploring woods, deserts, mountains, lakes, streams and any other roadside wonder of nature. Skittles and Michael are always accompanied by the spirit of Duffy. Skittles and Duffy have been Michael's canine companions at home and on the road for many years.

I'm a big fan of Michael's can-do spirit. Instead of falling into fear and depression about losing his job, Michael made the most of being set free to make new choices.

I've taken to calling him Blue Rider and his truck, Big Blue. He calls me and lets me know where he is driving and gives me a verbal travelogue of his scenery while driving and nature walks on breaks. He is living out a dream and he knows now he has options for his new career.

If I can talk Micheal out of some other pictures, I'll post them. In the meantime, thanks to Werner's website for allowing use of an ideal picture of Big Blue. And thanks to photographer Jim G. for this picture of the happy travelers. Isn't that Duffy in the image, too?

You go, Blue Rider!!