Did you ever think you would be living in Central Florida? You came, you visited, you moved here. What did your friends think when you told them you were moving to Central Florida? They came, they visited and they moved here too. And your children, were they concerned about your choice of Central Florida? They too came and they visited, can’t move here yet, but I’m sure many are looking forward to doing just that in the future. I know mine are happy I’m here now, but their first reaction was disbelief. It was amazing how I had to get my courage up to tell them and the words..we’ve been abandoned and we’re orphans now, still rings in my ears. Very dramatic thoughts said in jest, but with a bit of truth to it. I tried to soften the news with you have to come and see The Villages and then you will understand. They did come and visit and they did understand. I know they feel good about my being here and I think it is a bit like dropping your child off at a good day care center. You don’t have to worry about them because they are safe, they are having fun, and they are happy.   They see how their friends worry about their aging parents, especially in the winter now with bad weather. My sons tell them they have to get them to visit  The Villages and the rest will be history.    They talk our Hometown up, as if they were on the payroll.   We do too.  The other day I was in Leesburg getting my car serviced and I happened to be talking to a gentleman who proceeded to tell me he lived in The Villages. I told him I did too but he continued telling me about it.  His story was familiar, he bought a house in a few days and then told his children who insisted he was too young to go to a retirement community in Florida.  That was of course until they came, were spectators at his baseball game and realized this was like no other retirement community.  I always feel like I get a shot of adrenaline when I see and hear the enthusiasm people have about The Villages, not only visitors and new residents, but from residents who have been here many years.   I started this blog out wanting to talk about the flocks of  American White Pelicans, but got a little sidetracked.  They too are here in The Villages.  The first time I saw them I could not believe it..they came from Wisconsin, they visited and they stayed. They are joined by the Whistling Ducks and Wood Storks (these storks don’t deliver babies).   All in Central Florida, who would have thought?