how did you learn to work on cars?

For me the story is one that really causes me to come to tears at times. My father owned service stations from time I was very young. So the every so often game of catch turned into almost never as he worked business owner hours. Well as soon as I was old enough to stay out the way I went to work at the "station". I learned quickly by watching one brother do all kinds of mechanic work and one mess up simple oil changes which was the best way to go. Well finally it was just me and him as both brothers moved out. I was last so it became me and him and often no full time mechanic so I did whatever he told me I was capable of doing. He was terrible with tools but could explain to me the way it needed to be. I loved to read so finding the information was fun for me. Well I finally got to the age where I was moving on too. Decided the service station business wasn't for me. Not long though after not going to the "station" everyday I realized my dad and boss had really become my best friend. So almost everyday included a stop at the "station" and those stops often took up hours. Well after a few years I went to work offshore in the oil patch and one day I came home and drove past the "station" on way back from offshore and when got home phone rang and it was dad asking if I was going right back out to work as I had not stopped. I was dead tired, but told him I just wanted to go get a fresh shirt and was coming back. Know something though, after a little while at the "station" with him forgot how tired I was. That "station" was the location of many friendly drinks with all kinds of great guys, home of some of the best story telling with it being the hang out for the fast cars in late 60's early 70's. Was a stop off point for many a drag racing legend heading to Southland Raceway. Even met Red Adair as he came back and forth and filling up while putting out a local well fire, was at time a poker hall and guy's cook out place. I became a man there, a better man I think also. I met my best friend there. I miss the "station" now, and my god I also miss my dad and best friend.