My Dad was interviewed yesterday on KCCI News Channel 8 in Iowa. Click here to watch...
www.kcci.com/video/11003982/index.html?taf=des
I complain about how cold it is here today, around 30, until Dad calls and tells me that when he left for work this morning, Kansas City was a slightly nippy 6 above. Brrr...
When Alabama gets a dusting of snow, all chaos breaks lose w/school closings, and, some of you Northerners will gasp, business closings and/or delays. Even the Arsenal , the biggest employer here in Hunstville, delays arrival of its employees, but then, it IS a government agency.
Kansas City, on the other hand, rarely closes schools and I remember maybe one time in the 30-something years that I lived there, my Dad's employer delaying his arrival for work. Dad has worked for UPS for 36 years and I, as a new Ebayer, am aware, as I'm sure are the shipping companies, that hell hath no fury like that of an Ebay-buyer prolonged. (Ditto those of you hooked on QVC.)
So, yesterday morning being no exception to this seemingly unwritten "rule," Dad and his comrades-in-brown took their shiny, gold and brown shield-emblazoned, silver sleds, convoy-style, on up the road into Iowa; they were probably listening to Bruce Springsteen or NPR inbetween the CB jibber-jabber about idiots, management, idiot-management, Teamsters and smokies. They drink their coffee to try to stay warm and alert for black ice, while looking from mirror to mirror every 1.2 secs, according to "UPS Defensive Driving Rules 101". Dad taught me to drive, so I KNOW about black ice...and defensive driving (thanks, Dad). Just as the 9/11 rescuers ran into the burning buildings while everyone was running out, so did the Upsers drive, competently, into the snow, ice, blizzards, stupid drivers and traffic jams while the wiser-among-them tried to stay out of the mess.
To those of you who may be waiting on a package via UPS, or any other packaging company out there that succeeds solely because of, and off the backs of, their hard-working, faithful employees, make sure you give them a hearty thank you when they come knocking. They don't get combat pay or heroic medals, they just do their job the best they can, under the harshest weather conditions that mother nature can contrive. They love local diners and coffee, so if you feel so disposed, have a hearty cup of coffee or a gift cert for the local mom and pop breakfast joint ready to hand out the door. They'll appreciate it as much as you appreciate your package on time.
Finally, meet my Dad, Wes, and his buddy, Bob Hill (my Dad's the first UPS driver interviewed). Nice to meet you, Bob, never met you personally but have heard many stories about you--some good, some ornery--such is the life of a trucker.
I love you, Dad!!!
8 comments:
Cool. Now I have to go watch it again. I watched it the first time not sure if your dad was Sheriff Fitzgerald (which for some reason I fixated on, I think because the name "gerald" is in the last name so I connected him to you and thought he was your dad). Then I wondered if it was W. Epperson - "UPS Driver" or Robert Hill, who coincidentally was just tagged "driver". The suspense was killing me! But you eased my mind when you mentioned it later in the blog. At last I know! Amy's Dad! I will go watch again with my newfound knowledge.
And thanks W. Epperson for fording the snow and ice to deliver packages to the American public! And valentine's cookies from my mom. :)
Yep, maiden name Epperson. We're Swede and German and...
Sorry not to make it clear in the beginning; it's my OCD habit to read the entire blog and THEN watch the clips.
I'm Swede, I'm German, I'm OCD, I'm weird.
Yeah, Papaw! (if your reading this)
Love ya& miss ya, anna
They say everyone has their 15 min. of fame. Although I thought he looked nerdy in his "double hoodie" I think I will keep him! Like he said, Days like this they really earn their money! Even the Mrs is tense most of the day until she hears from him that everything is ok! It's funny though, when we go out together I prefer to do the driving!! Or atleast be the driving coach! Everyone have a great day and be sure to kiss your honey before he leaves for work in the morning. Mrs W. Epperson
Thanks Amy. Miss you all, see you soon. I love you, Dad.
Wow! I could feel the cold just watching that video. Roll Tide...
What's a "hoodie"? Is that "hoodie" and the blowfish? I'm tired, it's late.
nice story amy. dad, i love you and have always admired your calm, collective personality. also your dedication, to your family and your work. you are the example for me of how to be the man i should be, and i will always feel very blessed to have you as my dad. you have taught me countless things, but the most important is how to treat my wife and my children and to love them with all my heart and i can't thank you enough for that. i love you.
mark
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