Of all the challenges we face in life, saying goodbye is perhaps the hardest. Sometimes special people and unforgettable experiences enter our lives but, due to circumstances, we have to move on. When we finally walk away, however, the soothing solace of memories and friendships fills our hearts with gratitude. This is my final column for the Tribune Chronicle. It’s a little strange for me to face the prospect of life without the Tribune, since it’s always been such a big part of my life. As a youngster — long, long ago — I participated in Tribune Chronicle spelling bees. As a high school student, I had the privilege of serving on the Page One staff, a program whose astounding accomplishments are a tribute to its editorial guidance. While studying at Mount Union College, I worked as a community columnist, a unique opportunity that allowed me to explore issues of political, economic and cultural significance through the prism of the Mahoning Valley.