On a usual morning walk the most unusual thing happened. The many walking trails throughout  Festival are lined with Palo Verde trees or yards of grass intermixed with rock normally found here in the desert. Nothing has changed on this walk except one thing…my mind.

It was a typical morning as the sun began to brighten the day. Rabbits were scampering behind plants, other walkers were making their way out as many do in the early morning hours. For some unexplained reason I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. Here we are, residents of this resort community, able to get up at our own pace, decide what we want to do with the day and set about enjoying life. Gone are the days for most of us of watching a clock, having a set schedule day in and day out, unless of course it is our choice. And, most important, here we are in a community that allows us the freedom, offers us almost endless choices of activities and a passel of friendly folks with whom we can join, or not.

On this morning I watched the sky light up with the pale blue of early light streaked with bright pink of cirrus clouds. Temperatures now in late fall are in the 50’s overnight on this morning there was a slight southern breeze. Here in Arizona we call this cold. The Monsoon has passed and now every day will be sunny or mostly sunny. Our area has more sunshine than anywhere else in the country, almost 3800 hours of sunshine!

So why is today different than the many days I’ve walked these trails? Today I was simply overwhelmed as I stated before. I didn’t know what life in Festival would be like. I had some preconceived notions but was not confident they were accurate. My notions have been surpassed. My community, which is the only community in which I work as an agent, is filled with friendly people. Seems as though everyone driving by waves, fellow walkers say hello or good morning.

For those reading this from afar, thinking of a move to Arizona, to begin a new chapter in your life, it would be my honor to help you see what your life can be like in the place we call home.