One of my all-time favorite songs is the Smashing Pumpkins late 90’s hit “The Beginning is The End is The Beginning.”

It’s never an easy thing to have to say goodbye.

For the second time, in a little over three years, I will be bidding adieu to the Troy community.

Come the middle of July, and after a trek across the country with my dog, I will become the producer for the multimedia department at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Calif.

The beginning is the end is the beginning.

While the excitement this opportunity has generated is truly great, it does come with sadness.

Like the first time I departed from Troy, I was leaving many good friends and memories behind.

This time will be no different.

For nearly the last two years, I have developed strong friendships with coaches, players, parents and coworkers alike.

All will be missed, greatly.

The memories I have collected over the years are ones I will always have with me.

I’ll never forget talking with my good friend, Jamie Hampton, an hour before the New Orleans Bowl. He told me, if Troy was winning, he was going to take the last snap of the game, which would be his first time on the field since the season ending injury he suffered back in October.

Watching that scene unfold may have meant more to me than the win itself.

I’ll never forget talking to Levi Brown and Jerrel Jernigan, seconds after they were drafted into the NFL.

I’ll never forget the ear-to-ear smile on Steven Kilcrease’s face following the Patriots’ second-straight AISA state championship.

I’ll never forget how hard it was to talk to players and coaches after a devastating loss. This is something I will never, ever be good at.

I’ll never forget about the long hours spent in the Messenger’s office on Friday nights during football season – and the unbelievable feeling that overcame me when I left when the paper was done.

I’ll never forget being a part of a community that truly loved everything about its sports teams.

And as a sports writer, there is nothing better than that.

Saying thank you a 1,000 times to everyone would probably not be enough for all the help and good will they have shown and given me, but hopefully everyone will know how grateful I truly am for it all.

Being the sports editor of the Messenger has not always been an easy job, and Lord knows I have had my struggles.

It was an experience that turned out to be a great one in helping me grow as a professional, a writer and more importantly, as a person.

It’s hard to top something like that.

Now, I prepare for the next chapter of my life with an unmatched enthusiasm.

While I’m sure moving from one part of the country to another will not be easy, I know I will be OK for one reason.

After having worked at the Troy Messenger for the past two years, I know I will be equipped to handle anything.