Some years are more exciting and uplifting than others. This was a great one! So many positive things happened, and so many people became more aware of the things happening in the world.

It has been a year of celebrations, and there are so many good things to mention that it is hard to distill them into a blog post. My youngest child, Murdoch, turned 50 years old. Winter was mild in 2024, and I entertained at small dinners. Though Pilates has been my main exercise for many years, I got bored and stopped going due to “burnout.” But I still recommend it. Many pleasant evenings were spent reading or writing by the fire with my dogs. I took up line dancing for exercise, which made me laugh and feel great. Wanting to challenge my brain, I took classes to learn Mah Jongg. Wow! That is like learning a new language. Such fun! Do you want to play?

Spring came early, along with the first of three family weddings.

On April 13, my Granddaughter Daisy(Virginia Hale) Hilliard married Steve Luck at a lovely church wedding in Charlottesville. A beautiful reception followed at my daughter Helen and her husband David’s home, Even’ Star. Our entire family came and celebrated with the Hilliards. Weddings are such happy times.

In May, Georgina Ohrstrom graduated from The University of Virginia! I attended the event, tramping around on the muddy Lawn with Delilah! We actually got close enough to take a cute photo! That was so lucky and fun for all of us.

The MOST MOMENTOUS EVENT happened On May 23. My grandson Finley Matheson Ohrstrom and his wife Meghan made me a great-grandma for the first time, tipping me into a new generation. They had a little daughter named Corvidia Ruth Ohrstrom. She is beautiful and healthy. Born at home in Vermont, she has had an excellent start to her life. Her parents are besotted with her. I have been waiting a long time for this! She is beautiful.

June 1 was the second wedding of Helen and David Hilliard’s daughters. Grace Dow Hilliard married C. Gill Luck on that day. The two Luck men are unrelated, but it makes remembering the girl’s new names easy. They were married at the farm, Even’ Star, on a gorgeous June day. A reception followed that mirrored but was completely different from her sister’s early that spring. We partied into the night, and everyone was thrilled with each other and the celebration of family.

In July, Jack Matheson-Bradley, Robert’s son, spent a month here while visiting his dad. He began learning to play polo, which was great fun. Robert is so proud of Jack, who is astounding for a 10-year-old. After he left, I sprained my ankle, which set me back. I went to physical therapy, a miracle cure! I am healed, stronger than I have been in years. Physical therapy is magic!!! Of course, you have actually to participate, which I did enthusiastically.

In September, Lilla and I flew to Michigan for one of my board-related meetings, my only trip away from Virginia this year. My grandson Tom concentrated on Soccer. He is growing so tall and maturing into a genuine athlete. It is shocking that he looks so much like his father, Charley Jr.

In October, we had our third wedding this year, when Andrea Matheson’s son Coleman Davidson married his love, Dayna, at Andrea and Charley’s Chisholm Vineyards property. The marriage was performed on a hilltop by the bride’s brother and the groom’s sister, Kathryn Matheson. They both got ordained for that purpose. It was a Wes Anderson-themed wedding. It was gorgeous and unforgettable.

This November, we elected Donald Trump as President of the United States of America. I pray for his continued good health and wisdom to take the helm in this dangerous time. November is my favorite month in many ways. There are no birthdays, only Thanksgiving, the holiday I like the most. We gathered at my house here in Charlottesville, VA. There were 27 of us, all eating, drinking, and enjoying each other. It is impossible to describe the warmth I felt. We ALL feel it when nearly the whole group is together. I have been blessed, and I thank God for this.

December brought five family birthdays, plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. The last month of the year had some important milestone birthdays for Lilla (60) and Tilly (21). We were often all together at family celebrations, one after another. It was joyous, and we will cherish the memories.

However, for those of you who think we are just lucky, this did NOT happen by accident. Like orchids, avoiding fussing over your family too frequently is best. You cannot change them; they are what they are from before birth. You can only do one thing: “Love them!”

I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Copyright©. 2024 Bonnie B. Matheson