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On the Road Again By: Laken Greene
For two days out of the week, this house is called home by my dad, Richard Greene. His home is positioned nearly two hours away from his job, but my dad never complains. He smiles during the long drive north, pleased to know that his kids are happy at their schools, with their friends. Even though he is far away from the people he loves most, nothing changes; bills must be paid, and food must be placed on the table. Although they are content with where they are, my dad has a wife and three daughters who eagerly wait for his return.
In this photo: Richard Greene
Living and working away from his home quickly became very costly. My dad recently traded his Toyota Tacoma for a more fuel efficient car, because gas can be so expensive. Eating out every meal also requires a large sum of money. Living expenses also make a dent in a bank account that must support two different households. A nice job awaits, however, and my dad travels on.
“Welcome to Louisville Kentucky,” says a sign he sees after every long car ride to the north. Blue and inviting, this sign is a piece that becomes more welcoming each time he views it. Louisville is the location of his employer, and where my dad lives for the five days he is not at home. Louisville is a thriving city filled with interesting attractions, but the one thing my dad really wants to see is two and a half hours to the south. Still, he makes the best of his situation and takes rides on the river, walks the streets, and enjoys the atmosphere.
Living out the trunk of his car is, fortunately, something my dad does not have to deal with. However, most of the items he travels with have become quite accustomed to viewing the inside of the trunk. The trunk of a car is not a large area, and because of this, my dad only travels with his absolute necessities, clothes, toiletries, and a briefcase for work. Surviving for most of the week out of a suitcase is not ideal. My dad still manages to make it work.
In this photo: Richard Greene
Hotels, motels, condos, lodges, bed-and-breakfasts, whatever they may be called, are all the same. My dad has come to find this through his extensive over-night visits to Louisville over the last six months. While he doesn’t have to clean his room, vacuum the floors, or even worry about the toilet, an impersonal hotel is the last place my dad wants to sleep. A lack of reasonably priced apartments in the area has not helped is problem at all. While the search for a living establishment continues, so does the weekly payment to the Holiday Inn.
Two years ago, the slowly withering economy served as an incentive for my dad to find a better paying, more secure job. This led him to a company called Norfolk Southern Railroad. After a year of training and traveling around the country learning to work at this new job, my dad was stationed in Baltimore, Maryland. Six months in this strange environment was all that my dad could handle. There were no objections from anyone in the family, and so he transferred to Louisville, Kentucky.
Being the “new guy” in any situation is not easy. Working third-shift certainly did not make it any easier for my dad. Work begins at 7:00 PM, and ends at 7:00 AM, a backwards schedule that adds its own challenges. As difficult as it may be, my dad enjoys working with trains, and keeping the train yard running smoothly. Without him, the environment wouldn’t be nearly as safe.
Getting off work for most people means a hot meal, and quality time to spend with their family discussing the events of the day. For my dad, however, getting off of work means returning to the hotel, and eating the continental breakfast that was served for that morning. With a full stomach, a nap is needed to catch up on sleep. An alarm goes off at 6:00 PM, and the day is started again. A lonely day is unavoidable.
Though it has put a strain on their marriage, my dads job has only made my parents, and the family closer. Before, time with my dad was taken for granted, but now the family cherishes time together. Family dinners do not come often. When they do, however, nothing is more important. My dad has made an incredible sacrifice for his kids to be able to stay in their town, and the least they can do for him is make the most of their time together.
Even though going to work each day is a journey in its self, my dad would do anything for his family. From changing jobs to driving one-hundred and twenty miles, nothing would stop him from making sure we were provided for. His current job may not be the most ideal situation, but every day I am thankful for a dad who loves me. Saying goodbye is not always easy, but I know when the time comes that we see each other again, everything goes back to normal, at least for a little while.
