Finally getting to chase my childhood dream

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by MrCharlieTodd, Apr 12, 2022.

  1. MrCharlieTodd

    MrCharlieTodd Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2022
    Parkersburg, WV
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    Hey guys, Im Charlie, I've lurked for a little bit and then signed up not too long ago.

    Earlier this year I learned I'd be able to finally get my CDLs based on the vision requirements change from the FMCSA. I have 20/70 in my left eye and a "crowding effect" as my optometrist put it, so I couldn't pass the DOT Physical.

    My father was a truck driver my entire life and it's something I've always wanted to do, so I've been thrilled to finally get the chance. I went and got my exam and forms filled out, got my Physical Certificate and Ive been studying for my CLP as I was planning to go through a paid CDL program, specifically through Roehl or Millis Transfer and ultimately decided on Millis Transfer; everything's been going smooth and even have a date that I'm supposed to start at Millis for class. That is, until the 7th, my wife gave birth to our baby girl and I've been torn about what to do. My wife still supports me and is telling me to go, while the rest of my family is telling me to abandon. I worry about my wife and newborn daughter and I'm not quite sure what to do.

    At this point, I feel like I've rambled for too long, but thanks for having me, and sorry for the long post.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Ignore the rest of your family; this is between you and your wife.
    If your wife is ok with a career change, then go for it.
     
  4. MrCharlieTodd

    MrCharlieTodd Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2022
    Parkersburg, WV
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    She is okay and has been this entire time, but I feel guilty and selfish to be leaving her at home with our newborn to chase what I've always wanted, all while having the rest of my family in the other ear telling me "no" doesn't help.

    I plan on being home on weekends during class, but still.
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I understand, but family can drag you down. If I had listened to my family and not my wife, I'd be living a boring suicidal life. You must strike a balance between family and job satisfaction. Yes, they can both be achieved at the same time.
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Your family has put you on a guilt trip, but your wife hasn't. Trust your wife on this issue.
    Women are strong and wise; our culture prefers we don't recognize this.
     
  7. MrCharlieTodd

    MrCharlieTodd Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2022
    Parkersburg, WV
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    That is true, about family dragging us down. It seems they'd rather have me work a dead end manufacturing job where I am, quite honestly, extremely miserable at.

    Luckily to help some stress with the situation, my wife does get to be a stay at home mom and she's been extremely supportive. I love her to death.

    I appreciate your replies and wisdom.
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I was raised in a small town in Tennessee. I envisioned a wife and family in an environment of warm weather and palm trees. Made that my goal and made it happen. At family reunions in Tennessee, I sit in the corner and ask myself, "What the hell am I doing here; who are these people?" I'm not better than they are, I just chose a different path with no regrets.
     
  9. MrCharlieTodd

    MrCharlieTodd Bobtail Member

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    Mar 16, 2022
    Parkersburg, WV
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    I'm in a decent city in West Virginia, I dont think it's a bad place really, not ideal, but not bad. There's alot of days I'd like to be somewhere else, but I dont really know where I'd want to go.

    Ultimately, I just want my wife and daughter to be happy and I want to be able to give them the best life I possibly can while in a career that I want to be in and enjoy. If that involves, down the line, being able to move somewhere where we'd be happier, our own paradise, I want it to be an option.

    I cant say how much I'll enjoy being OTR for a while, but I know I'll enjoy being a truck. Having grown up in them, and at a previous job working at a plant, I also doubled as the yard jockey in a single axle, 10 speed International day cab.

    The ultimate goal for myself is to be O/O with my own authority, being able to haul what, where, and when I want in a truck of my choosing. That's probably a pipe dream, who knows? I do know that I have alot to learn and that the first step involves even stepping into a truck as a company driver. I guess I just have to get past the mental block of rejection from my family.
     
    Boondock and austinmike Thank this.
  10. leviant0107

    leviant0107 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 24, 2021
    Detroit, MI
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    Ignore your family. My wife was roughly 5 months pregnant when I left to Indiana for 3 weeks for CDL school. Suffice it to say, failure was not an option and I was a nervous wreck the entire ####ing time.

    Flash forward, I’m here now making $26 an hour locally and don’t quite yet have 6 months of experience.

    I actually went to Roehl. She wasn’t going for the OTR part after school tho lol
     
    Badmon, Boondock, Kyle G. and 2 others Thank this.
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Can't remember the name of the warehouse, but I've delivered to Parkersburg a few times and also to Clarksburg.
    Beautiful state. I just get the itch to move around though. Texas, Florida, California, Mainland China, and now Nevada. I'm ready to roll again.
    [​IMG]
    Here's my next goal:
    Viera, FL - Top 15 Master Planned Community | Florida's ...
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2022
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