Christmas 2024

It was the best of years. It was the worst of years. And because I don’t want to dwell on the worst, I’m just going to list the best of 2024 and then send it on its way… 

Winter 

• Joyce moved to Louisville. She’s at Dominion next to Jean, so they are together and see each other every day. 

Spring 

• Kyle travelled to India for a meditation retreat and then met Macey in Asia (not sure where exactly) for an incredible trip to several countries. They have continued to travel around the world. She even went to Kiev for a couple of days. 

• Emily graduated from NKU Suma Cum Laude with Honors. She did an amazing job and made the most of her time there. We are really proud of her. 

Summer 

• Kirk and I flew to Denver and got Joyce’s house cleaned out and ready to sell. It was like being on the set of Queen’s Gambit. Nothing had changed since 1960. It sold for a nice price to the neighbor behind her. Didn’t even have to put it on the market. 

• I got to see 2 bucket list items: dinosaur tracks (Colorado) and the ruts from the Oregon Trail (Nebraska). Bonus was seeing Chimney Rock (also Nebraska) 

• Kirk and I flew to Minneapolis to get Jean and Milt’s house cleaned out and ready to sell. It was also a challenge. So much stuff. So many trains. It sold also for a nice price by the end of the summer. 

• Claire and I spent a week at Myrtle Beach, just the two of us. It was a really good trip, and I loved the time away with just her. 

• My dollhouse won a blue ribbon at the state fair. 

Fall 

• School has actually been good, and I like the kids and the curriculum. I didn’t miss being retreat director either. I also started watercolor painting. I’m not good, but I enjoy it. 

• Emily got a job with Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares in NYC. She had a ball. 

• Kyle and Macey did some more travelling. Kyle got to reconnect with his Laotian “family” from when he was there in 2018. 

• Claire has decided to go back to finish her Master’s degree. She has been working with United Campus Worker’s union for a year, organizing people for better pay and working conditions, but she is so close to the degree and wants to get it completed. 

• But the best news of the year is that Emily and Brendan got engaged! He asked us for our blessing in September, and he proposed with my mom’s engagement ring on November 30. It was perfect. We can’t wait for the spring of 2026! 

 I’m sure there was more, but that’s all I’ve got. Buh-bye 2024.