They are everywhere. They are in major cities, small towns, and in rural areas. They have a distinct color and shape. Even if you only get a glimpse of it, you know that it's a UPS truck. Like I said, they are everywhere. I should know, I drove one for 28 years; and I still wave to the driver, and I still turn my head to see one going by. I can even pick out the UPS truck in a TV show, and in a movie; even if it is way in the background; even for just a brief second....I see it.
And having been a driver for UPS for 28 years, I am constantly asked, "Do you miss it?" And to be honest, in a way I do. Most of the time I can tell people that I don't miss UPS, and what I don't miss is the part of the job that stressed me mentally. That's as far as I will go with that comment. But, what I thought I would miss would be all the customers, people, and friends that I met and grew to know well enough for them to call me by name. And all of that was possible because I drove a "big brown truck". People were always excited to see this truck stop in front of their home, or coming down their driveway. I was bringing something to them. Maybe they ordered it as a gift for a child, or a spouse. Maybe it was a piece to fix an appliance in the house. It could be new clothes, a computer, marketing supplies, blueprints, college books.....I never knew, but I knew that I had something for them, and they were excited to get it. You know the feeling that I am talking about. This big brown truck, that is so recognizable, is in front of your house and there is something in it for you. Oh, the excitement; the anticipation. You can't wait to open it and make it "officially" yours. It is not trapped inside a box anymore; it is in your hands and it is yours....yours to use....yours to read......play with.....wear.....install. And then to show to your friends, or to tell them about what you now have because a big brown truck delivered it to you.
Do I miss it? It has been one year since I parked my big brown truck. And, I don't miss the customers and friends that I met as much as I thought I would. My life style has changed a little in the past year, but one thing has stayed strangely the same. I still feel sometimes like I am coming up someones driveway with a package, but this time I know what is inside. Because, I have opened it up; I have looked at it; I have the same thing, and I am excited when I get the chance to give this away.......and it is received.
I don't have a big brown truck anymore, but I do enjoy this tan and blue "truck" where more and more friends and loved ones come to meet, share, fellowship, and worship together. And inside this "truck", you will find all the excitement and wonder of lives that, when they were given this package; this gift.....and received it.....changed......everything changed.........everything. I really enjoy this "truck".
