Possible retirement ?

My new job title came with a little bit more responsibility and a dollar raise.

My new job title also came with the possibility of saying farewell to one of the first skills I ever learned.

Up until this year, I was a powdercoat painter. I started painting probably about a few weeks into my job when I started it almost 15 years ago. I was never properly trained how to powdercoat (which would appall the many service people I've had to deal with over the years.). From technique to maintenance, I learned nearly everything on my own or through the many co workers I've had over the years. I never really got "good" at it until recently. When I met my wife, I decided not only to grow up but to start taking pride in things, like my job.

As I was extremely flattered by my job promotion, I also found it bittersweet.

Aside from all the other job duties in my department, powdercoating is really all I knew and knew how to do it well. Advancing (whether my job is permanent or not, shit does happen. Although I have been busting my ass to make sure I stay.) meant that I am most likely going to say goodbye to powdercoating. Powdercoating was the first thing I skill I learned how to do out of high school. Yeah it's not glamorous or nearly as important as other skills but it was the first one I learned how to do and make a living at it. To be honest, despite how happy I am about my promotion; it was a little hard to say goodbye to that. 

On the other hand, a co worker of mine reassured me that we paid our dues in that booth ( We use to paint in a scrap metal booth near a 400 degree oven. In the winter, it wasn't bad. Come July/August, pure torture.). It was time to move on. He also told me I deserved this. It's time to hand it over to someone else. His analogy provided much needed clarity. That made it not so bittersweet anymore.

I will say while I am proud of myself for advancing, I left the booth (for now) at the top of my game.