By Anne Gibson
There is much you can tell about a community by their resident’s New Year’s Resolutions and the Greater Vail Area is no exception.
Perhaps it is the choice to live where the sun shines frequently, the small town feel where people smile at each other, the outstanding caring school district, the ability to communicate with nature whether walking, riding a bike or cruising the desert landscape, or maybe it is simply in the water and clean air. Not to state the obvious, there are no earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados or gales. Maybe a little heat and monsoons in the summer, but considering the climate is pretty good year-round.
To make the point that the people living in the Greater Vail Area, which consists of southeast Tucson, Corona de Tucson, Vail, and the Rincon Valley, have a more optimistic outlooks and concentrate on the basics, you have only to read what some of our neighbors have said their resolutions are.
For example, Jan Allen commented regarding her resolutions: “I have two resolutions one serious and one fun. The serious one is to check my email more often. The fun one is to take a weaving class.”
Here is what Calvin Baker said about his resolutions: “I will carefully consider the miracle of my good health and my granddaughter’s amazing development, and treat each day as the gift it truly is.”
From Jeanne Lumia we heard about her New Year’s Resolution. “I either make a whole bunch of them that I break immediately, or I don’t make any at all. This year, I am only making one. I resolve to finish my book – it is halfway done.”
Shelia Burden got right to the point. “To slow down while eating and savor each bite.” This could easily apply to life in general.
From David Stitt we heard: “My resolution will be to avoid watching political news. I dropped the habit before our September vacation, and I find my outlook is much improved.”
Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School Principal Kate Robold stated, “My New Year Resolution for 2022 is to do random acts of kindness regularly, and to form a habit of doing them! It’s a little selfish, because spreading kindness fills my bucket too!”
Vail Pride Day Support Specialist Virginia (Ginny) Graves wrote: “My New Year’s Resolution is to continue to improve on my correspondence with friends and family. My Nana Alice was such a wonderful letter writer, as is my mom, and I want to keep the lost art of letter writing alive. It also is a great time to reflect and be mindful of what is going on in my life.”
From Mark Favetti we heard: “My New Year’s Resolution “is because life is filled with so many negative things, I resolve to oppose the negative by adopting an attitude of gratitude.
“My resolution is to stay connected and create more connection to the people in my life and let them know by word and action how important they are to me,” said Mary Elizabeth Pollard.
“My 2022 resolution is to spend as much time with my grandsons (two now and three due in March!) as possible and less time working. You can always work but you get such a short time with young humans! Priorities,” said Tammy Mimi Minot.
Special Projects Coordinator Adela Martinez Ruiz shared: “My New Year’s Resolution is to be grateful every day for all the blessings that I have been given.” Beautifully stated Della.
“I’m going to try to not get so frustrated with all the latest technology because I have a love/hate – mostly hate – relationship with my laptop and cell phone. I will try to be a kinder, a more patient and tolerant soul, and will adopt James Brown’s famous song ‘I Feel Good” as my daily mantra when wake in the morning. And, to eat more dark chocolate.” said Yoga Instructor Cheryl Zappala, residing in the wonderful Del Webb community.
I saved Executive Assistant with Beyond Textbooks Jayme Bernet for last because she elegantly sums up how she reached her Resolution. “My New Year’s Resolution is to stop making resolution but to make life changes, shift, new habits, create goals throughout the year without allowing excuses or obstacles to stop me. Waiting for a New Year’s Resolution to me is another way for me to procrastinate and I want to live life and seize the moment without regret. So, my New Year’s Resolution would be to not make one, but to rather be reflective, not wait to do good things, and better myself throughout the year.”
In closing, the commonality of the members of our large community concentrated on doing good, being better, and being grateful for what we have. There was no bashing of the difficulties and challenges of the last two years. It was all looking forward to the future. This writer randomly selected people from all areas who no idea of what their responses would be. The results are what you read.
This is why we chose to live and thrive in the greater Vail area with people of common values.
Whittley “Anne” Gibson is a third generation Tucsonan and alumni of the University of Arizona. She has been an active community member in the greater Vail area since the late 1970s.
