The first couple of months of 2024 were extremely challenging for us. It started early New Years Day when Stan called Jay asking for assistance in taking him to a doctor’s appointment in Charleston. He didn’t feel like he could make the trip in his weakened condition. They went down one day and returned the next, but all of the tests prompted a quick return later that week. In the meantime, Kristie received three screws and a plate in her leg to repair the damage suffered over Christmas.
Catherine and Jay went to see Stan the next weekend. The following Tuesday, Stan suffered a stroke. Jay and Catherine rushed back down to Charleston. They had some tender and meaningful moments with Martha as the three held vigil at Stan’s bedside. By Thursday, Stan had passed. Kristie and the kids (luckily Parker could drive Kristie) met Jay in Conway where they received much love and support from family and friends. The service was held at Trinity United Methodist.
We returned to Winston-Salem and began trying to pick up the pieces. Trips to the orthopedist showed progress for Kristie’s leg. Parker and Jay took the MSF course at Riding High Harley Davidson in High Point. Both passed the course, and they have a great time hanging out together and enjoyed the hospitality of Riding High.
Before we knew it, the third quarter of the school year was in the books and spring break was upon us. It was always the plan to go skiing for spring break, but we weren’t sure if Kristie would be ready. Thankfully, her doctor gave her the green light, and so we were off to CO!
Saturday afternoon, we connected with Mom Mom in CLT. From there, we flew to Denver. We picked up our rental car (Ford Expedition) and drove to Silverthorne, CO where we checked in to the Modern Moose.
The next day, we drove to Copper Mountain. The snow was great and it snowed off and on all day. After a couple of runs, Kristie declared that she was back! Parker and Ansel have become really good at riding/skiing. It was hard for Jay and Kristie to keep up with them. We skied at Copper for a couple of days and then drove to Winter Park. It was our first time there and we enjoyed the scenery and all that it had to offer. For our fourth day, we decided to get some local flavor and went to Arapahoe Basin. You will recall that Kristie was there in September. Jay was especially enthralled by A-Basin and said that it was his favorite place. We ended things up with a warm day back at Copper.
Though it was the end, we ended with a bang. Mom Mom joined us for some fun on the tubing hill. At 80 years old, she’s still got it!
