June 2007 to Fall 2008, I lived in Tucson. Initially six months on the West side at The Casas Adobes Apartments, then ten months on the East side at The Tanque Verde Apartments. It was the best of times, the worst of times, and once again the best of times. In addition to these genuine, and verbally forthright apartment residents, I had the inopportune experience with medical folk, humane society, one homecare agency, the local Equine therapy program, the library, and most privileged of all, employment at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch !! I forget my title, but primarily I assisted with the children's program, including their equestrian instructional and trail riding program, as supervised by Nancy Cunningham, a most exemplary boss anyone could dream of having !!! Unfortunately, Outside daily amidst the strong, ever blowing Spring winds led to my developing severe asthma, which not surprisingly triggered my ever volatile thyroid into super hypo zone. Consequently having become physically useless I offered to quit my position. But Nancy, fully understanding of my illness, yet knowing how very much this dream job meant to me, refused to let me go, persisting in helping me thru my illness. She NEVER gave up on me !!! Nor did the others there. I was in my mid 40's amidst employees in their 20's, with the exception of Nancy. Likewise, elsewhere the locals were nothing but kind, warm, genuine, verbally forthright, and accepting of me. Being a loner, particularly amidst the youth, can be challenging and scarey, but here everyone made it easy to feel accepted and part of the group. Six months into my time at the Casas Adobes apartments, under much duress at the time due to circumstances pertaining to my first chow puppy, I commited an unforgivable, totally uncharacteristic act leading to my ultimate alienation from those wonderful fellow residents. Not until a month prior to my dad's death, a few years later was I finally enlightened to my birth truama, which resulted in my acquiring high functioning autism, which has shed much clarification for me. Eighteen months following my arrival I knew intuitively that it was time to return to the Northeast for family reasons. I however, promised myself that one day I would return to this wonderful city, full of beautiful, peaceable residents !! No, I do NOT support illegals, but upon my return I would be willing to assist in tutoring them in becoming LEGAL U.S. citizens. Maybe, this isn't the city for you, and your ambitions, but hey Columbus, OH. is certainly an energetic, intellectual, growing city, IF you can withstand the weather, think about moving up here. We get MORE than enough cold, rainy days !! BTW, one wise minister back in my youth once stated: "If you don't like something, then stay there and change it !!" Get over your disillusionment, come down off your high horse, determine to become one with the locals, and work together to make Tucson what it once was. WITH its native culture intact !!! At 61, I have lived enough places and experienced enough of people to know that no matter how many beautiful destinations, they are all meaningless until or unless you are open but wise, and accepting of others, intermingling with them can you truly appreciate, and comprehend their environment !!!
Nancy |
Gahanna, OH |
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