HI, MY NAME IS… Marry Livingston.
I’VE LIVED IN CAVE CREEK FOR 24 YEARS AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… it’s small enough to feel part of a caring community and big enough to have lots of fun things to do. We can see the stars, hear the coyotes howl, and catch beautiful sunsets from our backyard. I can walk my dog and ride my horse into the beautiful Sonoran Desert or get in the car and head into town for some great Mexican food and live music and dancing.
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES…
walking my dog together with my husband in the mornings since he recently retired. Spending time with my horse, riding or working on being a better leader for him. Talking with a friend over a cup of tea in the afternoon then cooking dinner together, enjoying a nice glass of wine and maybe watching the sunset.
MY FAMILY IS… a source of love, joy, and support. Our kids and grandkids have brought us such joy and we are lucky they live nearby. My parents are in their 90s and we recently went on a cruise to the Panama Canal together. They are an inspiration in living a long and happy life.
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… my friends. I am blessed to have friends of many years and we have been through everything together – marriages, moves, raising kids, losing parents, and health crises. We know each other so well. We laugh and cry together and I can’t imagine my life without them.
MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY… it’s corny but I watch “Christmas Vacation” every year. I used to think it was so dumb but now it just makes me laugh out loud. I guess because I can relate to trying so hard to make the perfect gathering for loved ones only to have everything go wrong. But in the end, he triumphs not because of all the trappings but because they all love each other and that’s what really matters.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… an artist but my parents kept telling me there were a lot of starving artists in the world, so I ended up studying psychology and became a starving therapist instead.
THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS… ugh, that’s my idea of torture. In my next life it would be my dream to be a singer but in this one my nasal twang is reserved for singing along with the radio in the car by myself and sometimes to my horse because he never complains.
THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… I love to laugh so I’m always finding things to laugh about – my horse making silly faces, my dog “talking” when she gets excited, silly things my husband says. Our grandson has his first job and he just told us he found out today that he got a raise six weeks ago. What?! He didn’t know his paycheck was bigger by over a dollar an hour – how can that be kid?
THE PERFECT DAY IS… spending time with my horse and sharing my love of horses with others through women’s groups or our horse meditation circle. Sharing a meal with my husband and good friends while sitting outside laughing and eating together.
MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… wow, that’s a tough one because we have so many. Desert Foothills Land Trust is close to my heart because their mission is to preserve our beautiful desert for future generations, and they have a dedicated following of supporters who love living here and believe in the cause.
MY LIFE IS… a gift.
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… I have had the great fortune of going on several dream trips. We are planning to go to Italy this spring with good friends and that is a dream trip that has been years in the making.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… your life is what you make it.
