A Fun, Fast and Furious Year
We definitely had lots of fun. Since our last Feliz Navidad message we have had lots of fun hanging out with friends (mostly at wineries and bars), enjoying family gatherings (to celebrate Ana’s performance in Damn Yankees), visiting family (in Miami, Atlanta, and Albuquerque), taking a big vacation (Yellowstone) and going on simple outings (Abuelo Camps and County Fair). And of course we did a Caja China pig.
Time does go by fast. The grandkids grow up so fast! Esme is talking up a storm as she lives out her 2s. Mirabelle is in kindergarten with the personality of a teenager, and Berto at 9 1/2 is now more of a kid than a child. And their parents are ok too 🙂 It is a blessing to have them nearby and see them often. (One sad note: All of a sudden, at the tender age of 4 ½, Cachao, our beloved Jack Russell Pug passed away. We miss him dearly).
The year has also been furious. Our country is radically changing in many ways we deplore because of the hurt it is causing the most vulnerable here and throughout the world. And we are furious. We disagree – and proudly and loudly protest. We gotta do ‘something’ – so we brought together a group of folks from throughout the country to share tactics and support each other, and we are active on the resistance front.
Geraldina continues with her passion profession at the NIH National Cancer Institute facilitating research in HIV/AIDS, and surviving DOGE – and a 6 week furlough. Her commitment to yoga is unbending, as is our joint commitment to daily long walks.
Reemberto is winding down his encore career at the University of Maryland, where he was part of a team that helped local communities thrive, and coordinated site visits to Minneapolis and San Francisco to learn from entrepreneurs and small businesses.
We are both blessed to work alongside amazing people that are not only professional peers, but also fun people to hang out with.
Reemberto also had an exhibit of his pictures of Cuba at a local art gallery. The exhibit was a beautiful way to recap 10 years of accompanying the people of Cuba in their challenges and struggles with Puente de Amistad friends and the UMD students. His participation with Montgomery History and the Rotary Club continues strong, keeping us grounded in the wonderful place we live.
We keep growing in our faith journey. We are blessed with belonging to a wonderful parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown. We are doing what we can with Catholic Relief Services. We are extremely happy with our new Pope 🙂 And of course, we continue tangibly helping the many local non-profit organizations that assist the un-housed, food insecure and special populations in our community.
And so it was. 2025.
May 2026 bring joy regardless of hardships; and may all us have the fortitude to speak truth to power and thus help build God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”.
In prayer and action,
Reemberto & Geraldina
FELIZ NAVIDAD 2025
1 minute overview video of 2025
100+ picture highlights of 2025
Reemberto’s Cuba Pictures Exhibit
EXTRA! From Sojourners: 24 Christmas Quotes About Faith and Justice
For much more, visit our virtual porch