Christmas 2024
Roldan Vea
All, 2024 - What a year. Here’s our recap.
An Antarctic adventure started Ron’s travels when he and Henry (his oldest and closest friend) crossed the Drake Passage and cruised up and close with whales, seals, penguins. They eschewed the luxury cruise liners opting to travel on the Nansen, Hurtigruten’s newest research ship built for the ice. No sightings of the Southern Cross or Aurora Australis – but he survived a polar plunge in the icy Antarctic waters and celebrated his 73d birthday with two fingers of Jamison’s over ice.
Unfortunately, shortly after returning from Antarctica, Ron’s mother passed in March. Her life of 99 years and 4 months included surviving a major world war, travelling unaccompanied overseas with her small children, establishing a home and raising her family. We all miss her so much and are comforted knowing she continues to watch over us.
"There are no goodbyes for us, for wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts."
In June, we road tripped to Indianapolis and treated Zoey to a couple of days at the US Olympic Swim Team Trials where she was able to see and cheer on her favorite swimmer – Katey ‘Just Add Water’ Ledecky for what could be her last Olympics. It was a loud and fantastic sendoff for the US team to excel in Paris and we got to spend precious time with granddaughter #1.
In October, we decided to visit our niece's family in Oregon. This gave us the chance to see some of the Pacific Northwest. We checked off Crater Lake and the Columbia River Falls from the list. Luckily, we went before the rim road and mountain passes closed due to weather. The Cascades were buried in snow by early November.
Matt and Carolyn are doing great. Matt completed his Brigade Command tour this summer. He is a network security/cyber-naut while Carolyn is a high performing Technical Director - working in the same government agency. Zoey (13) won prizes and accolades (plus another pure silver coin from Ron) for her second year in the Anne Arundel County Science Project. Oh yeah, then she went to Space Camp in Alabama. Little sister Celeste (4) continues to grow, loves her pre-school and shows signs of athletic prowess. Her vocabulary and sense of humor always astounds us. Both granddaughters are a continuing delight.
We finished the year with a long-awaited trip to Iceland over Thanksgiving week. To stand on two tectonic plates seems to be the vogue destination these days. Brrr!! But the Northern Lights, active eruptions, lava fields, geysers and forbidding landscapes were well worth the temporary cold.
We are doing fine. Ron is still cycling (nearly 1,200 miles this year) while Laurie makes our home and family all that it can be. We enjoyed 2024 and are looking forward to next year.
May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world, with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Laurie and Ron
Melodee Smith
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