I was wrong, I see that now. Everyone shall experience something in their life. That just completely opens their eyes, tosses them to their knees and lets them look at things from a new perspective. In a way this has happened to me in the last couple days. For the longest time I have been unhappy here in Cookeville, TN. I was lonely, I felt unloved and accordingly was sad. But the actions of others, has made me form a new opinion, I wasn't completely right before. I was wrong.
Friday was my last day of work at Cookeville Sam's Club number 4930. I came in their that afternoon slightly nostalgic, slightly sad. I left that evening with a mixture of happiness, and sadness. It was a good feeling, just conflicting.
Video of me right before going into work.
See over 3 years ago I moved here with nothing but the goal of happiness in mind. I ran full steam towards it. All my efforts went into it, all of me. My mind, my body, and soul.
Somethings happened between then and now that made me rethink moving there. Made me doubt, made me resent, made me hate. I was depressed for a very very long time. So much so it manifested into a physical condition that took my weight from
280-90 pounds
To
205-210 pounds
I weigh 200 now.
Granted I'd say 20 pounds of that was due to bocking. Still, thats a lot. In short I wasn't happy. I felt alone, and hated everyone for it. I was miserable. I just wanted to feel loved. So I worked incredible hard. All the time, work actually became an outlet for my stress. I would dive into it to escape things. I made it my other home.
When I first got news of my transfer. I was over joyed. Finally things could go better for me. I'd be near people that did care about me!
...
But I also have that here. That's become apparent in the news of my leaving. My every effort, my every struggle. My entire move here has seemed all but worth it with the kind act my friends here showed me friday, and the followings days leading up to my leaving.
Upon entering work friday. I worked for an hour, and then began hearing announcements over the PA system for all associates to the Cafe for a meeting. I was busy with a forklift to drop some keyboards that were being returned to the vendor. So I wasn't interested in a meeting. I had work to do, and it was my last day. So I didn't want anyone else to have to do it. Well, they kept calling. Then they said lets say good bye to DJ!
So at that point I realized I should probably go up there. I went up there, and EVERYONE but a couple cashiers were crowded around. They all started clapping when they saw me approach. My old manager Jim was standing up there, and pulled me beside him. He gave a speech about me leaving and how I was an asset to the company and would be missed. My Team Lead Walt followed up with another speech about working with me, and then they had me speak about leaving. Then they had me lead the sam's cheer. Which is something we do in morning meetings to rile us up for the day. It's silly, but after being with the company for so long. It really does start to hold meaning. We were roaring together. It was among the loudest cheers we've done since grand opening.
It was touching, they got me a cake, and filled out 3 cards with going away messages. Everyone shook my hand, and took pictures with me. This all happened in the middle of business. Members literally had to wait to get help until we were done. This is something that the management has NEVER done for another associate leaving. My coworkers even collected money for me. Despite me not asking, and it being against company policy. I pulled 160 dollars from everyone. I was told they only collected it that morning. Obviously I touched enough people that thought I deserved thanks.
The rest of work was fairly sad for me. I began to start missing being there. Work really did become my other home. When I was bored on days off and had nothing else to do. I'd go in there and just say hi to everyone.
After we closed, I went with a few friends to my kinda surprise going away party. They took me to Taiko, my favorite sushi place in town. Walt, Stephen, Jt, Kelly, Chris, and Billie all went. Along with my friend Savannah who doesn't work with me. But was my roommate for short bursts over the summer, and during december.
Video of the dinnerIt was fun, sushi is perhaps my favorite food. They all treated me to it and we had an awesome time. After the meal, Kelly, Billie, and JT had to leave due to obligations the next day. But everyone else piled into Walts car, and we headed towards Nashville for some games at Dave and Busters, and bowling.
BoowwwwlinOn the way to nashville, walt got pulled over for "speeding" even though he wasn't. Which we all bitched about after the cop left. So that started the evening off well. After the games and bowling, we headed to downtown nashville towards the bars, and clubs for people watching. The rest of the night we all walked around, joked, and had a fairly good time.
So looking back at it all. I really did have people that cared about me. My time here wasn't for nothing. Sounds corny quoting a popular anime at the moment. But "Home is where there is people that still think of you." I think I'll always have this here in Cookeville.
Thanks to everyone for being my friend. I understand you were all busy. But thank you for being there for me when you could. It means a lot to me.
This entire experience has helped shape me into the person I am now. I would like to think it's happened for the better. I'm stronger now than I have ever been. I know that my future endeavors will eventually lead me to happiness. If I can connect with as many people as I have here. I can do anything.
Illinois here I come! Tennessee, you shall always be remembered!~
~DJ Bothwell
