Clyde Watanabe (favorite peeps)

          I’ve not been shy about the fact that I think I am blessed to work with an amazing group of people. I’m also not shy about stating that I think I have the best DM (driver manager, aka dispatcher) at Freymiller; Clyde Watanabe.  That’s not to say that the other DM’s aren’t great; they’re just not Clyde.

          Clyde has been around Freymiller for about 17 years and in the trucking industry for over 40 years.  (I think he started working when he was 10.)  When he decides to retire, you’ll probably hear my sobs all over the country.  I tell him that when he’s not there when I expect him to be, I get separation anxiety.  If he only knew how true a statement that is!

          What I love most about Clyde is he knows his drivers.  When a situation is coming, he knows how I will handle it before I even know it exists.  He is also on top of what’s going on.  If I have a question, he usually knows the answer.  If he doesn’t, he has it for me within a few hours.  He’s never left me hanging. He is also very even tempered.  I had one driver tell me “I love Clyde, it doesn’t matter how whacked out I get, he still stays calm.” 

          When I asked Clyde what he likes to do when he’s not at work, he mentioned hanging out with his homeless friends.  You can tell a lot about a person by how he treats people who can do nothing for him.  It’s easy to throw money at problems in our society, but not everyone makes time in their busy life to get into the trenches.  Clyde walks the talk.

RIP, Nacho

          On February 26^th, I lost one of my favorite people on the planet, Bobby Lopez.  I met Bobby in 2013 when he was driving for Freymiller.  We lost him just over a month ago, when he died from complications after surgery in Seattle, WA.

          There has been a combination of laughter and tears as the people he left behind have shared stories of him and grieved together with the knowledge that we have to go on without him.

          Bobby never met a stranger.  His daughter and I laughed together when she told me she used to tease him about “his new best friend that he just met in line at Wal-mart.” 

He had such an amazing heart, levels of compassion that knew no boundaries.  If you had a need, he would turn himself inside out to meet it for you.  He wasn’t afraid to tell you he loved you.  Many times, Bobby gave me hope for humanity, showing me that there are still good people out here and not everyone is just out for what they can get from you.

I believe I will see Bobby on the other side.  An hour before he went into surgery he and I had a great conversation that I am very thankful for.  We talked about God, family, and faith among other things.  He reminded me that I still owed him a steak because the Raiders beat the Panthers.  I would give way more than the $50 limit we set to be able to buy him that steak today.

I miss my friend.  My world is definitely a little darker these days without him.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Peeps: Chaplin Olen

     One of my favorite things about working at Freymiller is the people.  When I go to the yard, I get to see people that I honestly like and I think for the most part the feeling is mutual.  When they ask me how I am doing, they genuinely care about my answer. 

     Chaplin Olen is one of those people.

     Chaplin Olen is not a Freymiller employee, but he has been a consistent presence around the Freymiller yard for about 7 years.  I met the Chaplin when I went through orientation in January 2012.  I was surprised, yet comforted to find a Chaplin in residence here because our society seems to be moving away from traditional beliefs.  I was going through some major life challenges when I came to work here and the Chaplin's calm demeanor, quick smile and genuine concern for my well-being was one of the first signs that I had come to work at the right place.  He quickly became MY Chaplin.

     What makes him so perfect for the position he holds is the fact that he spent many years doing exactly what we, the drivers, are doing.  He understands how difficult it can be to deal with the problems at home when we are away from home for 3 weeks at a time.  He offers a unique perspective that so many pastors in other truck driver ministries just can't grasp.

     Chaplin Olen is very real.  When I talk to him about what's going on in my life, he doesn't pretend that he doesn't understand my struggles, he has been through most of them and he isn't afraid to share his own experiences.

     Chaplin Olen is SAFE.  He doesn't judge and it's okay if your beliefs don't line up with his.  He doesn't go into shock if a word slips out that you wouldn't want a toddler to repeat.  What he cares about is your heart.  He is here to help you carry the weight of the world.

     If you haven't done so, next time you're at the yard, take 10 minutes and go talk to him.  He has a converted trailer at the west end of the yard, behind the main office building.  He is an awesome man of God, doing what he knows God has called him to do... be there for you.