As some of you know, the oil changing place I work((ed)) for closed its doors today. I went in yesterday to get my paycheck, and Taevan told me to hang around so he could talk to me. I knew something was up and was peacefully stunned when the words, "Tomorrow is our last day." came out of his mouth. He and his family are moving back to Knoxville to be with more of their family. I sat and listened as he explained, and as it settled more and more in my mind, I realized that the relationships I had built with everybody that worked there were soon to be gone. I walked down to the pit and hugged Jeff, almost crying as he said "You were always my favorite." 

To say we were co-workers is an understatement. We were family. I know I complained about the job sometimes, but I really doubt that I'll ever have that kind of bond with my co-workers in the future.

It was wretched saying goodbye. Taevan called me while I was eating lunch at school today and told me to make sure I came by early enough to "do something". I figured I had to fill some paperwork out, but he told me he was going to flush my transmission. That's a $130 service, and he did it for free. After flushing the trans, I pulled my car in one of the bays to vacuum it out and check the air filter. As I turned around to put the screw driver back after checking the air filter, emotion overtook me, and I walked in the break room where Tracy ((Jeff, the manager's, wife)) was and started to cry. She hugged me till I finished, tears in her eyes, and I walked back out to the bays. I hugged Bryant, and walked over the the bay where Taevan was under in the pit and said bye to him. He told me to come down there, and I started crying again. He kept telling me it would be okay, and that if I ever needed anything to call him. We hugged each other for a long time, and I went back up to the bays. As I walked to my car, Tracy whispered to me that Taevan was crying in the pit. Taevan! I made Taevan cry. This is the man who acted like he couldn't stand me. Heh, I knew the he loved me.

The only person I hadn't said goodbye to was Otis. Otis was, without a doubt, my absolute most favorite. I loved everybody, but Otis was seriously my best friend at work. We only worked together Friday afternoons and all day Saturday, so naturally, last Saturday we expected to see each other today. Obviously, that didn't happen. I was pretty upset, but something inside me kept me calm. About two hours ago, my phone rang and an unfamiliar number showed up. I answered, "Hello?" "HELLO?! WHO IS THIS?!" "Anna. . ." "ANNNNNA MAAARRRIIIIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A huge grin came on my face. Anna Marie was Otis' name for me at work. I don't know why; my middle name is Elizabeth. We talked for about ten minutes, about reasons why Taevan's closed and everybody's feelings on it before saying goodbye.

I was an employee at Taevan's for nine months and one week. In those nine months, I learned how to check an air filter ((on almost ANY car)) and check the fluids and levels of the oil, transmission, power steering, and antifreeze. I learned how to appropriately wash windows, vacuum floorboards, and fill up the air in a tire. I learned how to start a stick shift and put it in neutral. I learned how to pull cars in the bays, talk to people I don't know, and formaly answer the telephone. I learned how to pop towels and breath around second hand smoke.  I learned how to simultaneously eat pizza and add oil to a car while typing information into a computer. I learned where not to take your car and I learned where the best mechancs were. I learned the appropriate mileages to get your fluids flushed. I learned that some people are downright ugly, but to balance that ugliness are some of the most beautiful people in the world.  I learned that sometimes you just have do to stuff that you really don't want to do.

Yeah, this is a long blog entry, but I'm blessed to have had the experience that lead to this entry.