This was probably the best way to pass along a message, and a reminder that each of us have many miles of road to cover, with our trucks, please think about how we travel each mile.

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his truck had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially.

Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the truck, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once."

Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?" "I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct ." Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy. Would you sit back in your truck please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the truck"

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.

The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.

Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?

Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost?

Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?

Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again.

A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left."

"Bob" Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars and trucks are not the only things recalled by their maker.

 

Great story, I to will be weighing my decisions more carefully.

 

Thank you for sharing that. It makes me more mindful.

 

Thanks, really hits home with a 5 yr old, 2 yr old, and 10 mo. old!

 

Thanks--I am always going too slow.You might laugh,but I have been pulled over quite a few times for going too slow.I guess this can cause wrecks too!!!BILL

 

Always good to have a reminder.

Here's another:
Don't mix wheels and alcohol--I won't put the story that goes with this one, just don't do it.

 

I appreciate the story very much and will pass it along. Thank you.

 

Thanks, Mellowyellow. Great message. I had a satisfying experience on I-81 in Virginia today, when a guy came flying up behind me as I was passing a big rig. He flashed his lights at me to get out of his way and I was tempted to mess with him, but thought about my wife and kids instead. I gently pulled over after I passed the truck and the guy, in a little Honda with a spoiler on the back, flew past. About 5 minutes later I came over a ridge and the guy was pulled over by a cop. Hah! Good guys sometimes win.

 

Thank you, really hits home with me too I have a 7, 5, 3 and 2 year old.

 

Mellowyellow55
Thanks - Having also lost a child, this really hits home.

 

That really hit a soft spot for me. No one can realize the pain of loosing a child until it happens to them. I to have lost a son years ago. He would have been 34 this yr. I makes me cringe every time my now 16 yr old son gets in a car with his friends and leaves the house. Thanks for the story. Everyone needs a wakeup call now and then. ..............RUSTY

 

Good story. Even our old trucks are replaceable, but life are not.