Murphy's World

Mistakes make great memories

Back in 1973 I was pulling doubles in line-haul work from Portland, OR to Salt Lake City. It was early in my career…less than a year, and dyslexia kicked in. I was supposed to hook up trailer 20010, but I hooked up 10020 instead.
            Time was tight, and I needed to get through the Columbia Gorge before they shut it down because of ice. Between Portland and Boise I put and took off the chains 12 times.
            When I got to SLC, they informed me that my trailer was supposed to be in Seattle! (This was before Qualcomm or cell phones.)
            Needless to say, I never heard the end of it. Often when I was getting ready to leave the yard with a load, someone would blare over the PA system, “Driver 68. You SURE you have the right trailer?”
            Emulsified
            Sioux Falls, SD

Dear Emulsified,
Mistakes happen. If we were all perfect and didn't screw up on occasion, think how boring life would be. Even worse, if every over-the-road professional was perfect, there wouldn't be a Murphy's World and I'd be out of a job. Chew on that for a minute. I know I do - every minute of every day.
            If this crazy world we drive through has taught me one thing over the years, it's this: We all do dumb stuff because, well, we're human. The important thing is, do we learn from our mistakes? If we can laugh at our foibles while learning a lesson, so much the better.
            Which brings me to a few of my favorite “mistake” quotes:
• You are born, you die, and in between you make a lot of mistakes.
• Mistakes are sometimes the best memories.
• There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.
            By the way, your handle, “Emulsified,” turns out to be an ironic, yet perfect, byline for your story. An emulsion is a mixture of two or more unblendable liquids (oil and vinegar come to mind), but your tale easily blends two apparent polar opposites: screw-ups and humor. Of course, in Murphy's World, mistakes and laughs go together like peanut butter and jelly. If they didn't, we'd all be in more trouble than we are already.

Regards,

Murphy and Lucky Dog