When I lived here in the ’70s, no one ever told me about the Grand Valley curse: “You better take some dirt from the base of the mountain or you’ll be back!” Well, it took 43 years, but here I am! While most people find new environments and lifestyle changes to be stressful, moving is in my DNA. You see, my heritage links back to a ban of German gypsies that came up from Italy. It was a part of my culture long before I was born. Most of my life, I had no choice. My older sister and I were raised by our single German mother just after World War II. When she married a U.S. Army soldier, we moved from place to place, never long enough to put down roots. By age 17, I had gone to 11 different schools and had never lived anywhere longer than five years. It should come as no surprise that my sister and I also married military soldiers. As a military wife of 20 years, I learned the phrase, “bloom where you’re transplanted.” It was embedded into our thinking process: pack and unpack and settle the nest quickly for the sake of the children.

Now, at age 68, I’ve chosen to stop moving.

I’ll admit that the thought of finding permanency is a bit overwhelming. As exciting as it may seem, it’s also frightening. Moving to a place where family and friends are after being away for so long presents its own set of challenges. People aren’t the same when you’re “just visiting” as they are now that you live down the street. Redefining relationships takes time and can be a hurtful or joyful. I’ve thought to myself, “What’s wrong with them? They’re not the same!” Then you realize, neither are you. Change doesn’t always come easy. Some people struggle to adapt while others are more resilient. To consciously decide to plant roots within a community requires time and effort. I had to decide what I wanted, what would make me happy and how to go about making those changes. We all want to feel our lives have a purpose and to have a sense of belonging. I began planting my roots when I started volunteering with various community groups, including Grand Junction Senior Theatre and the Grand Junction Visitor Center. It’s a known fact that volunteering is a great way to avoid depression and isolation, which is an issue that many seniors face. One thing I’m learning about retirement is that it’s not over until you expire. Wherever you are in your life, bloom and plant deep roots and become a part of your community. Be mindfully engaged with what really matters: relationships that bring value and trust. Nurture one another. Returning to the workforce was an unexpected turn for me; one that I’m embracing and enjoying. Now, I’m planting my roots deep within this community—my community. I’m thankful for the freedom to choose and I’ve chosen to stay put.