By now the weather has finally gotten warmer, as it was the coldest winter in Florida in years! March was special in so many ways. I’m not sure if it was the warmth of the weather or the warmth of the people around me, but it sure felt good! I think I smiled more than I had in years, and I finally realized why people here were always smiling and in a good mood – they’re genuinely happy!

There’s always something to do, someone to hang out with, and plenty of conversation to enjoy.

The sad part was – it’s March. The end of the month would mean plenty of goodbyes. I watched as people gathered for one more party, one more dinner together, one more boat ride. The long hugs and happy tears were plentiful. And by Easter, most of us snowbirds had headed out. The village was quiet once again.

I learned later from my Aunt Gloria; she has a saying, “you have to leave, so you can come back!” That is so fitting when it’s so hard to leave, yet comforting to know we’ll see each other again soon.

So I’m going to close this with a poem I wrote. I think my Holiday friends can relate to it.

Holiday RV Village

Some of us drove

For thousands of miles

To find this special Cove.

Full of happy smiles

And massive amenities,

To enrich our lives and souls.

Holiday everyday

Brings community to play.

A place rich with Florida nature,

And a place to gather to pray.

A place for snowbirds

To escape to.

Full timers to enjoy.

And adventurist travelers wander to

Discovering so much more.

For we all find more than a resting place,

But a joyful sanctuary

We call our Happy Place.

And as our seasons end,

We gather once more for farewells,

Hugs, and see you soon,

Our dearest Holiday friends.