My mom is trying to decide what's next after my dad's death in December. Mesa was their winter home but it's changed so much, as you describe, since they first bought the condo. Also, thank you so much for the amazing teach-in this past Friday and Saturday with Faith+Lead. Everything you said about storytelling was so affirming for where I've been putting my energy the last five years as a parish pastor.
One of my favorite experiences was going to Joshua Tree National Park in the spring and seeing the desert bloom. Even though my faith is hanging on by a thread, I still appreciate the metaphor of the desert in that what seems dry and dead, there's life and it only comes after rain.
Beautifully written to individuals and to our Churches and or religious institutions as a clarion call to look at "Living With Our Environment," not exploiting it. I took a Seminary course in Phoenix in the 1990's called "Ministry WITH Older Adults,"; The idea being Not To, but with. Perhaps it is more than time to look at how we teach about living with and Healing our environment--ie the garden we live in. Thank you Diana
I read your thoughts and refection with tears in my eyes. Having moved from Virginia to Tucson for a period of time, my time in the desert was transformational. The beauty in such different forms opened my eyes in a new way to experience undiscovered beauty. We were struck by the natural landscape that has survived the changing elements while being disturbed by those that wanted to bring East coast green to the desert at the expense of precious water sources. The metropolis of Phoenix in all that it may offer, is vastly different from the fierce independence of Tucson that embraces and respects the natural beauty of the desert. And yet nowhere have I experienced the Holy more than in that desert. Oh, that others who seek to tame the wild, could open their eyes to see the beauty that is of God. It is holy ground and a place that offers profound healing if only you allow it.
As a resident of Albuquerque, I worry that New Mexico might be headed down the same path. We are already experiencing warmer temperatures than I can remember in my 30 years living here, and the desire for economic prosperity is outpacing thoughtful planning and environmental consideration. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to honor the land that was created and first given to others.
Thanks for saying it all. I have lived here in Tucson since 1982 and have seen these changes you describe. It makes me sad. Although Tucson has fared somewhat better than Phoenix, I'm not happy with a lot of the changes I see here. The desert continues the best it can, with human interference, to be beautiful and awesome. Tucson is trying to preserve the desert, the best it can.
I grew up in the Phoenix area, but then when to school in Flagstaff. Much of what you say is true about The Phoenix metro area, but not necessarily about the rest of the state. This includes the politics, as folks in Flagstaff and Tucson are definitely held captive by the valley.
I fell in love with Arizona in 1970 the first time I visited there in a desert community outside Tucson. The folks there were living simply and sharing a water source. It is amazing to me how much things have changed. I still love it but find all those green lawns disturbing. Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson are places I return to and visit whenever I can.
Just wanted to write and say, “Thank you” for you gift of expressing you thoughts. My son and his wife, live in Vail, just outside of Tucson. They have been visiting with us here in Michigan, for the past month. They make the trip every year during the months of June-July and welcome the cooler temperatures, lush gardens, and most of all our beautiful lakes. Last year due to Covid, they were unable to make the trip. The climate in AZ, both politically and environmentally, are also of great concern to us. Your articles are always so well written and thought provoking.
Well, we who live in Tucson will generally agree that Phoenix is a MESS! But down south in the Grand Canyon State we live an entirely different life and style. Yes, Phoenix is the fifth largest city of population in the USA...but Maricopa County is not the entire state. Come on down and check out another world out West...and the reason we maintain our residency here? Our blue votes matter...
I lived in NM for 15 years. The desert is not an empty wilderness but is a life filled environment replete with marvelous and ingenious animals and plants that have adapted to the dry conditions. Cactus whose stems are filled with water, wee creatures who never drink water and only obtain it from plants, rabbits with longer ears to radiate heat, and beetles with long hind legs so drops of moisture roll down to their mouths. Very sad our refusal to live on the earth and not with it. Nature offers us the path to sustainability,
Diana, you have encapsulated the 20 years I spent in Phoenix. And why I left. It's such a beautiful and amazing place. But it has become unsustainable (esp. in the Valley of the Sun), the infrastructure is crumbling, and the politics. OMG the politics. Like you, I now live in Virginia. I grew up in the Midwest, so the comparison of all three regions is quite striking. I think the only road back to Eden for Arizona is to return to how the indigenous people lived with the climate, and reduce the sprawl. Not sure we can do that before climate disaster is unstoppable there.
My mom is trying to decide what's next after my dad's death in December. Mesa was their winter home but it's changed so much, as you describe, since they first bought the condo. Also, thank you so much for the amazing teach-in this past Friday and Saturday with Faith+Lead. Everything you said about storytelling was so affirming for where I've been putting my energy the last five years as a parish pastor.
Always inspiring. My heart grieves over the malicious shadow of Donald Trump over Arizona politics.
Thank you for painting the picture with words. Safe travels.
One of my favorite experiences was going to Joshua Tree National Park in the spring and seeing the desert bloom. Even though my faith is hanging on by a thread, I still appreciate the metaphor of the desert in that what seems dry and dead, there's life and it only comes after rain.
Your comment "there’s no place to go to escape the worst of us" makes me think of the old Pogo comic strip -- "We have met the enemy and he is us."
Beautifully written to individuals and to our Churches and or religious institutions as a clarion call to look at "Living With Our Environment," not exploiting it. I took a Seminary course in Phoenix in the 1990's called "Ministry WITH Older Adults,"; The idea being Not To, but with. Perhaps it is more than time to look at how we teach about living with and Healing our environment--ie the garden we live in. Thank you Diana
I read your thoughts and refection with tears in my eyes. Having moved from Virginia to Tucson for a period of time, my time in the desert was transformational. The beauty in such different forms opened my eyes in a new way to experience undiscovered beauty. We were struck by the natural landscape that has survived the changing elements while being disturbed by those that wanted to bring East coast green to the desert at the expense of precious water sources. The metropolis of Phoenix in all that it may offer, is vastly different from the fierce independence of Tucson that embraces and respects the natural beauty of the desert. And yet nowhere have I experienced the Holy more than in that desert. Oh, that others who seek to tame the wild, could open their eyes to see the beauty that is of God. It is holy ground and a place that offers profound healing if only you allow it.
Wounded garden
Even as the golden dust of the resurrection falls,
settling on our shoes like heaven's pollen,
as we look up at angels receding,
as the exuberant news echoes in our hearts,
even now, stepping into new lives
of joy and gratitude,
our hearts are broken,
we lament... we are silent... we scream.
Injustice continues its hungry rounds,
death is granted permission to hunt on our grounds.
Another shot rings out.
We cry out. How long, O Lord?
But we don't cry alone.
The song rises—the sorrowful, courageous song,
the hymn of gentle defiance,
still flows through the throats of the faithful.
This,
this wounded garden, this is the very place of resurrection.
We who have died and been raised are not afraid
to cry out, to be silent, to listen, to act, to sing.
We will do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
We will no longer be afraid
to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with God.
Even in the lingering darkness we are not afraid.
For Christ is rising. Christ is rising indeed.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
April 13, 2021
As a resident of Albuquerque, I worry that New Mexico might be headed down the same path. We are already experiencing warmer temperatures than I can remember in my 30 years living here, and the desire for economic prosperity is outpacing thoughtful planning and environmental consideration. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to honor the land that was created and first given to others.
Thanks for saying it all. I have lived here in Tucson since 1982 and have seen these changes you describe. It makes me sad. Although Tucson has fared somewhat better than Phoenix, I'm not happy with a lot of the changes I see here. The desert continues the best it can, with human interference, to be beautiful and awesome. Tucson is trying to preserve the desert, the best it can.
I grew up in the Phoenix area, but then when to school in Flagstaff. Much of what you say is true about The Phoenix metro area, but not necessarily about the rest of the state. This includes the politics, as folks in Flagstaff and Tucson are definitely held captive by the valley.
I fell in love with Arizona in 1970 the first time I visited there in a desert community outside Tucson. The folks there were living simply and sharing a water source. It is amazing to me how much things have changed. I still love it but find all those green lawns disturbing. Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson are places I return to and visit whenever I can.
Diana,
Just wanted to write and say, “Thank you” for you gift of expressing you thoughts. My son and his wife, live in Vail, just outside of Tucson. They have been visiting with us here in Michigan, for the past month. They make the trip every year during the months of June-July and welcome the cooler temperatures, lush gardens, and most of all our beautiful lakes. Last year due to Covid, they were unable to make the trip. The climate in AZ, both politically and environmentally, are also of great concern to us. Your articles are always so well written and thought provoking.
Most Sincerely,
Maggie Fleming
Well, we who live in Tucson will generally agree that Phoenix is a MESS! But down south in the Grand Canyon State we live an entirely different life and style. Yes, Phoenix is the fifth largest city of population in the USA...but Maricopa County is not the entire state. Come on down and check out another world out West...and the reason we maintain our residency here? Our blue votes matter...
I lived in NM for 15 years. The desert is not an empty wilderness but is a life filled environment replete with marvelous and ingenious animals and plants that have adapted to the dry conditions. Cactus whose stems are filled with water, wee creatures who never drink water and only obtain it from plants, rabbits with longer ears to radiate heat, and beetles with long hind legs so drops of moisture roll down to their mouths. Very sad our refusal to live on the earth and not with it. Nature offers us the path to sustainability,
Diana, you have encapsulated the 20 years I spent in Phoenix. And why I left. It's such a beautiful and amazing place. But it has become unsustainable (esp. in the Valley of the Sun), the infrastructure is crumbling, and the politics. OMG the politics. Like you, I now live in Virginia. I grew up in the Midwest, so the comparison of all three regions is quite striking. I think the only road back to Eden for Arizona is to return to how the indigenous people lived with the climate, and reduce the sprawl. Not sure we can do that before climate disaster is unstoppable there.