Welcome to October, all you little pumpkin-heads! Fall is in the air, and I am already missing summertime. But maybe that’s just me. I just prefer the longer, warmer, sunny days, since they can be rare up here in the Pacific NW. However, one of the great things about early autumn is the Truckin’ For Kids show in Irwindale, California. While it has been a few years since I was able to personally attend the TFK show, I do look forward to it, nonetheless. Because any event that brings truck drivers, fancy trucks, and friends together, and does so for the benefit of children, is something I find very exciting and worthwhile. I was sitting here thinking about the kinship that seems to be universal between a rugged, seasoned veteran of the road, and an awestruck, enthusiastic child. It may seem like a stretch to compare the two groups, but the fact is, they each aspire to be so much like the other. I admit that even on those days when nothing goes smoothly, and I feel irritated by whatever comes my way, if I see a kid pumping their arm to get me to hit the air horn, I will naturally oblige (perhaps as instinctively as that arm pumping gesture comes to a child). And it reminds me that I chose this profession because I was passionate about it. I was awestruck. I couldn’t wait to grow up and get behind the wheel. Nowadays, I tend to be a little more awestruck at the carefree whims of a child. I really like the whole concept of the TFK show. And I want to thank those of you who participated in this year’s event (and in previous years). I encourage more of you to get involved. Treat yourself to a great time, benefit the kiddos, and get your fancy custom carriages down there and join the fun… before they all turn back into pumpkins!
TFK
By Trevor Hardwick
Hey there, Mr. Trucker man,
You know just what it’s like.
To hear that kid make diesel sounds,
While riding on his bike.
He pumps his arm to make you honk,
That universal code,
‘Tween every kid who’s ever lived,
And truckers on the road.
It’s okay if you admit,
It kinda makes you smile.
It takes your mind off other things,
And kills another mile.
Perhaps it takes you back in time,
To when you were a kid.
You dreamed of driving trucks someday,
So, that’s just what you did.
The bond between a child’s heart,
And those behind the wheel.
Is something special, don’t you know,
It’s something very real.
There are those who hear the call,
Of the kid within their soul.
Reminding them of how they longed,
To feel those big wheels roll.
Some have answered to that call,
And met-up way out west.
To celebrate that little child,
And do what they do best.
They brought those trucks to Irwindale,
To show them who we are.
And let those kids see trucks up-close,
Instead of from afar.
They let them see we aren’t the kind,
That Hollywood portrays.
And let them pull the horn themselves,
To watch them be amazed.
They showed up in their chicken trucks,
And draggin’ low step-decks.
A souped-up, pooped-up, septic truck,
They brought it, what the heck!
They brought their projects incomplete,
And brought their trailer queens.
They brought some tricked-out transfers,
And everything in between.
So, bring ‘em down again next year,
And show us whatcha got.
You’ll benefit the kids each time,
And that sure means a lot!