Leisure World News

A4 November 2022 • Community • www.lwca.com This is my favorite time of the year! September to the beginning of January when the season is changing, school for the kids returns, the holiday season kicks off and I get to prepare my family and myself for the upcoming year, makes my heart happy. There have been so many pivotal changes in my life this year from professional to personal, becoming Communications Manager for a company that I have grown to love, purchasing a home in Arizona after relocating four years ago, along with many other great changes as well as lessons learned in between. However, through it all, I have learned to train my head and my heart to see the blessings in all things which keeps me in a state of thankfulness. Why complain, when the things that I have now were once intense prayers? Remaining in a state of gratitude reminds me that through it all, I am still blessed despite the temporary inconveniences and obstacles that I may face. Speaking of gratitude...I stand in complete awe and respect of the men and women who have risked their lives and have sacrificed for our great country. It was extremely important for me to make our community veterans (residents and employees) feel appreciated and special. When I think of the burden that our veterans have carried for the love of this country while ensuring that our freedoms remained secure, yes, much honor is to be given. My husband, who is 22-years-older than me, enlisted late in his life and served for six years in the United States Army. He speaks openly of his pride of being a soldier to our children and gives snippets into the time where he served in Desert Shield - Desert Storm. Bruce is a soldier to his core, and I could not be more supportive and love him all the more as his wife. I am also fortunate to work with awesome men who also served. Stephen, Justin, Eric, and Spenser are wonderful examples to me of men who served, entered civilian life and brought their learned skills to be an asset to their families and the Leisure World community. They are all amazing men that I am proud to call colleagues and friends and who are quickly becoming family. I am also very proud of the work of the Lion’s Club. The value that they have within the Leisure World walls as well as the Mesa community is more than commendable. I will admit that I did not know of the Lion’s Club prior to becoming an employee, yet the information that I have learned regarding their philanthropy is nothing short of amazing. If you are a veteran, please join them on November 3rd for their Veteran’s Breakfast. As we move into the holiday season, take some time to prepare yourself to enter a space where you can reflect on the many blessings that have come into and have remained in your life. This is a season where gratitude should be the focus. Let us all look at our lives with thankfulness in our hearts as we have triumphed over so many hurdles and won so many personal battles. To our veterans...consider this November issue a love letter to you. We honor you. We admire you. We thank you for your service. Have a wonderfulThanksgiving holiday and remember to live life with purpose on purpose! Editor’s Note EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Living In a State of Constant Gratitude