Monday, July 4, 2011

Saying Goodbye

For the past 11 years, I have called Fort Wayne, Indiana home. It's been a wonderful place to live, and I've meet a lot of amazing people here. But, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and my time to move on is quickly approaching.

It is with very mixed emotions that I write this blog post.

As I spend my final days putting everything I own into boxes, and sealing them with tape, it is impossible not to reflect on the life that I am leaving behind, and to look forward to the one that I am about to embark on.

I have always had a restless soul. I've never been a person to fear change, instead I constantly crave it. I get bored easily and feel a need to continually reach for the next new thing in my life.

In many ways being like this is a blessing. It allows me to roll with the punches of life, and to easily adapt to the world around me. It forces me to constantly seek new experiences and to learn new things. I'm constantly striving to be more than I am today. I refuse to settle for the status quo, when I know that there is more of life to experience on the other side of every door, if only I turn the key and walk on through. That need is what lead me to start my photography business to begin with, and without it I doubt I would be sitting here writing this post to all of you.

On the other hand, I constantly live with an inability to really relax into a comfort zone. I'm constantly looking for the next challenge, the next new thing to do, to learn, to experience. No matter how happy I am with my life today, there is a constant restlessness bubbling under the surface and I know that it is only a matter of time before it will break out and lead me down a new path. It gives every stage of my life a feeling of being a bit unsettled that I don't always love.

And here we are with the perfect example. Even though I really like Fort Wayne, and think it is a wonderful place to live, I've always known that I would never stay here indefinitely. As I've walked the walk of my daily life for the past few years, I've barely been able to contain the restlessness of my soul fighting to break out. Those who know me IRL, know that the reason I am still living here is because I have been waiting for my husband to graduate with his Bachelors Degree so we could begin planning this move. Now that it is right around the corner, I can barely contain my excitement. So many of the things that I am about to leave behind are the last remaining remnants of a life that ended a long time ago. I'm ready to move on.

While it is time to begin a new chapter of my life, I can't help but stop to reflect on everything and everyone that won't be joining me on this new journey.

The past year has been an amazing one for me, as I've started my photography business. Many of my friends and family went above and beyond to help me get things up and running. I've also met so many wonderful new clients, as well. Life in Arizona just won't be the same without all of you there to share it with!

To all of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I will carry a small piece of each of you with me wherever life takes me. I am richer for having known you all!


You all rock!!

I hope that each of you will keep in touch, and continue to follow me on my path as I grow my photography business in Phoenix. Please do not hesitate to email, call, or leave a comment here or on facebook! I'd love to hear from you!

And if you happen to know anyone who leaves in the Phoenix area, please send them to check out MWP. :)

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer currently located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Michele will be relocating to Phoenix, Arizona during the summer of 2011. Visit Michele's website at michelewhitacrephotography.com. Become a fan of Michele's work on Facebook. Follow Michele's updates on Twitter.

1 comment:

  1. You will be missed more than words can say! I am just thankful for the opportunity to have spent many wonderful sharing hours with you here in F.W. over the past 7 years. Time is truly the best gift. See you on down the road in AZ in the winter months and maybe in Michigan during a summer visit.
    Much much happiness and success to you and your hubby. Love ya from the deepest corners of my heart.

    ReplyDelete