By Nancy Lenox
The beginning of my “romance with Sedona” began about ten years ago. I read about its ethereal beauty in the travel section of my local paper, The Indianapolis Star. I mentioned it to my best friend, who then sent me a lovely book with breathtaking pictures of Sedona. We wished that we could visit here together, but, unfortunately, our desire to see Sedona was hidden away in our respective “fantasy trunks.”
Life went on as usual for years. Then, three years ago, cancer claimed my beloved husband at age 69—just two months to the day before our 50th wedding anniversary. I was devastated!
When spring came, I climbed into my car and started driving—to literally and figuratively “drive away my grief.”
My co-pilot, God, and I drove across the country to the West Coast. On the way back east, I stopped in Sedona. It was February. As I drove down Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff, my jaw dropped in awe at the magnificent beauty of the red rocks and the canyon itself. I was overcome with gratitude at finally getting to visit this spiritual place! I had planned to stay two days, but ended up staying three weeks! I just couldn’t make myself leave the inspirational environment, gorgeous sunsets, snow on the red rocks, wonderful restaurants and the Sedona Film Festival. I loved it all!!
But the time came too soon when I needed to return home to business needs and old memories. It seemed that my “Sedona fantasy” had been fulfilled.
Back home again in Indiana (isn’t there a song by that name?), I began to feel depressed over the next couple of years–what with hot, humid summers; cold, icy winters; and loneliness.
So after a Thanksgiving visit to my son’s family in Oklahoma last fall, I decided to re-visit Sedona. I just couldn’t get it out of my heart and mind.
Once again, I was overwhelmed by its natural beauty, which no picture could encompass. I made a pont of approaching it from every direction over the next few days. It was glorious!
And, this trip, I discovered the Sedona Community Center. I went there every day while I was here. I loved the lunches, friendly camaraderie, and genuine concern for senior citizens. I volunteered to wrap gifts for the homebound, and to fill “treat bags” for them and others. It truly put me in the Christmas spirit!
Susan Barrington, the director, graciously invited me to the Christmas dinner, and even provided me with personal transportation there with the help of her friends, as I couldn’t drive at night. What a memorable night that was! It made me think, “What a wonderful place to live, is this Sedona!”
My son called to invite me back to his home for Christmas. So I was thrilled to “hang out” in Sedona for a few more days. I was already dreading my return to lonely Indianapolis and the worst winter of my 71 years there.
The rainy weekend here before Christmas, I decided to look around, “just for fun,” for places that I might like to live, even though I doubted such a move would ever be possible.
I drove through Sunset Village, a 55+ mobile home park, in a wonderful location, handy to everything I needed. I loved the neat appearance of it, the glowing Christmas decorations, the “friendly” feel. I went into the lovely clubhouse and found a number to call for help in looking around the property. The assistant manager, Gene (coincidentally my husband’s name) came to see me. He was from West Lafayette, Indiana—a fellow Hoosier! (Meant to be?) He showed me a house I could afford, which had just become available the week before. (Perfect timing?) The manager, Harold, agreed to talk to me about it the following day, Sunday, his day off! We conversed for two hours, and he graciously gave me pictures of the house and yard to show my son. He said that he would be glad to speak to my son about all the details, and would hold the house for me until mid-February.
I then headed for Christmas in Oklahoma, with “sugar plums dancing in my head.”
The day after Christmas, I presented my life-changing desire to my son. He was elated with the idea, and most supportive. He said he’d always wanted to live in Arizona (unbeknownst to me!)
He called Harold, the manager, and discussed details with him. He then told me he would fly to Indy and move me to Sedona! I couldn’t believe my dream was coming to fruition so quickly!
I went home and started packing. It wasn’t even a chore, but a complete joy. I was able to sell my home that week, (unbelievable in today’s economy!).
After three attempts to fly to Indy (weather wasn’t cooperating), my son, Tony, finally arrived to move me the first week of February. I, myself, had used a pick-ax to make a path through five inches of ice in order to load the U-haul truck. And then it had the audacity to snow heavily on us as we loaded the truck!
I waved a very, very fond farewell to that house, and we headed west. It was wonderful, visiting with my only child, all the way to Sedona. I couldn’t wait to see his face as he first glimpsed the awesome red rock formations as we drove north on SR 179. As I had hoped, he was amazed and could stop uttering, “Wow!”
So here I am—blessed with God’s gift of Sedona in my sunset years! I am thankful and joyful every day here. Now I volunteer and enjoy the Sedona Community Center and the Twice Nice “thriftique” any day I want. It’s like vacation every day in this heavenly place of new beginnings. I’ve learned to “never say never,” and that miracles still do happen. Hallelujah!
October 17, 2011
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