Looking Forward & Back

Happy New Year everyone! Time for resolutions and new beginnings. As I write this, however, it’s still December, and the 2nd anniversary of my dad’s passing. And although my heart is still aching for the loss of him, I am encouraged and blessed by the memories I hold – like photos in my mind. I was inspired to draw this picture of one of my favorite trucks of his – a 1990 Freightliner FLD that he got in late 1989, and had it leased to Pirkle Freightlines out of Madison, WI. He hauled a lot of loads for Kraft Foods in those days. This was his second new FLD – his first was a 1989 model that was Royal Electric Blue with a 444 Cummins – but this Emerald Jade Metallic Green one stole my heart from day one. I was 12 years old when he got this truck, and he immediately started dressing it up with lights, chrome and pin-striping. It had a 425 Cat with a 15-speed, and that truck would flat-out boogie! Being a big fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival, dad borrowed a line from their song “Hey Tonight” where they say, “Gonna chase tomorrow, tonight…” and called this truck “Chasin’ Tomorrow” (what a great name). He used to say it’s because, as a truck driver, that’s what kept him moving along for the next adventure – the quest for the unknown, the lure of the horizon, and wondering what’s around the next bend. He felt proud to be paid to be chasin’ tomorrow. In light of the New Year, I thought I’d share this drawing with you. I used colored pencils and markers on a piece of 22” x 28” poster paper – it took a few hours to do, but I was enjoying the reflection of my dad’s poetic view of the job he did. Inspired by his desire to chase tomorrow, and in anticipation of what the New Year has in store, I hope you like the drawing… and that you are looking forward to what tomorrow has in store for you, too.