THE Letter
NOTE: This is our obligatory "State of The Family" address... Kinda long & boring, but cute nonetheless... enJoy.
So, another year has gone by us - & what a year! We could write this letter about all the natural and human-made disasters that plagued us all in 2005 – but no, let’s concentrate on the positive and the personal…
Our family continues to be blessed with good health and an uncanny ‘child like’ attitude that “life is good.”… Yes, there is a lot of misery around us (more so psychological than physical!), but in the balance, there’s more good than bad.
So, what has the Rodriguez/Dominguez Family in Silver Spring Maryland been up to in this the 2005th year of our Common Era?… Well:
Reemberto, Sr., celebrated his 15th year with NeighborWorks America (previously known as Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.) He is now entering his second year as part of the “Curriculum Team” for the organization’s Training Department. He deals with courses in the “Community Building and Organizing” program area… He is humbled by working with lots of people (staff and instructors) that are lots smarter than he is and organizing experiential learning events with residents (as in “real people” – people that are even smarter than the people he works with!) from communities served by the NeighborWorks network.
Geraldina has started (as of October 1st) a wonderful new career as a Program Director at the Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health… She has left the scientific ‘bench’ for the ever-exciting field of grants, management, and promoting research in the critical area of cancer in the HIV/AIDS population… She travels a bit; meets lots of fascinating and interesting people; goes to lots of kool parties; is engaged in an area of research she is passionate about; and is having fun at it – what else could you ask for?
Rembe Jr., is now at the University of Maryland completing his dual bachelor in Spanish & Economics so he can go on to grad school and pursue his dream of “Sports Management.” He has a plush part-time job at UM in the Sports Facility Department helping to set up and monitor sporting events, including the ‘big’ ones [Football, Basketball, and yes, soccer (UM is #1 in the nation!)] He still tries to go to the ATL where he can to spend time with Lela and friends.
Iggy continues with his commitment to baseball, having played for the St. John’s College High School 9th Grade team last spring and the JV team in the Fall. More importantly, he made all A’s his first quarter in the 10th grade. Also, he has begun his Confirmation journey at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (our new parish - Jesuit, of course.) And, very important (to him, at least!) he is growing – he is now about 5’ 10”. He has a great group of friends at St. John’s, most of which are – of course – baseball players.
Zen is a year older and more Zen-like. Like. Zen. Old. Is. Joy.
The one monumental occurrence for our family this year was certainly the passing of Bev (our sister-in-law & aunt.) She passed away at a way-too-young age (48.) To say that her thoughts, love, and tenderness lives on is an understatement – she is quite a soul & her presence will be forever with us.
We were also blessed with the birth of two beautiful children in the family: Drake & Sophie… Geraldina and Reemberto are now ‘great-aunt & uncle’ – Sophie was born to Lola and Charles in San Francisco… and Drake was born to Cindy & Ron in the suburbs of the ATL… Oh, how America keeps changing! – Both these children will be able to claim Cuba as part of their heritage, yet be as American as fried rice & fried chicken!
And, we were also blessed with the visit to our house of lots of family and friends… Running the risk of leaving someone out, some of them included: Chris (one of Iggy’s baseball coach from Atlanta); Gabe (another ATL family/friend); Lela (a couple of times); the Pearsalls (with JR & Michael – part of our ATL familia); the Acosta family (including Reemberto’s godchild, from ATL); Eddie & family (from Miami); Mario, Rhonda and the kids (Geraldina’s brother); Susana & Jose Miguel (Geraldina’s sister); Toti (Reemberto’s brother); Gorka & family and Alex S. & family (friends from ATL); Mario Sr (Geraldina's dad); Tia Carmin & Tio Paco and Carmencita & crew (familia from Miami) - and, others that we are probably leaving out.
Another major experience in ’05 was when Iggy, Geraldina and Reemberto went to experience a talk with the Dalai Lama at the same time that Rembe Jr., was finishing his Jesuit Spiritual Exercise… The focus of the talk? – Compassion… need we say more?
So, what will ’06 bring? … Well, in 2006 fully expect the Braves to win it all! (Yeah, right... whatever...) ... And, we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary - we (w/o Rembe Jr., Iggy or Zen!) look forward to cruising the Greek islands. Then, we'll be getting together with a bunch of folks September 3rd, 2006 at Stone Mountain Park (in ATL!) to help us celebrate (YES! U R invited!)…
But most important, we pray that whatever comes our way we choose a peaceful positive outlook, keep a peaceful positive perspective, and have a peaceful positive attitude… & that good friends, family, and foe will do the same…
GodBless & enJoy,
Reemberto Sr., Geraldina, Rembe Jr., Iggy, & Zen
