A Sense of Community
Why are some of us blessed - or cursed - with eternal wanderlust? And why are some of us content to stay put? I suspect it's mostly due to who we are to begin with. If you're old enough to remember the 1969 movie "Paint Your Wagon", play that terrible Lee Marvin song "I was born under a wanderin' star" in your head.
I find that one of the reasons why I'm content to remain a Desert Dweller is a strong sense of community. I've made really good friends here in the desert, and shared wonderful adventures and memories.
And people in the community pull together when you need them. For example, just last year - when the art village received a sudden flash flood of mud and water - our surrounding community showed up to help with whatever they could do. Dirty, smelly, backbreaking work. And just last week, in Kayenta, we held the annual Art in Kayenta festival, with a request for 140 volunteer shifts. All slots were filled by willing and giving community members.
Yes, it's easy to fall in love with our warm weather and the natural red rock beauty that surrounds us. But what keeps me here is the community. It's my family, and they give me an incredible sense of belonging and value.
- Susan J.
