It was my last day working at McDonalds and my heart skipped a few beats by the unforseen blow that hit me right in the chest.

I just finished taking someone's order and all my co-workers started clapping. I turned to find out what the source of excitement was and found out that it was me. Mixed in with the people crowding around was a big cake that said "we will miss you Josh" and "good luck." More cheering and clapping ensued and I tried to think of a time in my life when I had been surprised like this and I came up with nothing. No surpise birthdays. No surprise cakes or gifts. No surprise going away parties. I was fumbling for words, but ended up just grinning stupidly.

My feelings were in opposition. Incredibly happy that it was the last day I would have to get up at 7:30 and put on that disgusting McDonalds uniform. Hopefully the last time I would ever have to drop fries or be asked what the "two for two" is. Then that happiness was turned into sadness and regret as I came to the realization that I would probably never see these friends again.

I was reading the card that everyone had written in, I found various things written. Some inside jokes. Some short notes of well wishing, and some various notes of encouragement.

The owner of the store, a big guy who everyone calls dad, wrote a short entry about how he was proud of his son (based on a prolonged joke where he referred to me as "son" and I referred to him as "pop"). We joked around a little bit and I told him I wasn't a child anymore and that he needed to let me get on with my life. Joanna and her husband (both managers and originally from France) wrote in French since they had taught me how to speak some. There were two entries in Spanish and after translation found out that one of the ladies thought it was my birthday and had wished me a very happy birthday. The other was a short note from a hispanic girl with a name I couldn't pronounce so I ended up just calling her "Bonita" which means "beautiful" in Spanish. I was truly blessed by everything written.

After taking about 20 pictures of everyone, I left with my camera, cake, card, and clockout slip in hand and I made my way out to my car. As I sat down in the driver's seat and closed the door, I sat and smiled the contented smile of a person who has just eaten a big meal and is laying down to go to sleep.

A week from today project will be over. I am excited to see what happens in the next week and what everything will look like when I look back on it.

The first chapter of my summer is over and I can hardly put this book down.