May 2008 Newsletter

Text Box: Smith Family Newsletter
May 2008

Text Box: The last picture to the right represents our first trip back to NY since our departure in June of ‘02. It was a happy occasion, and gave our family an opportunity to get together to celebrate the lives of our two grandchildren, Tim and Lana. Each took a different path. Tim chose a hands on approach to life up front, with educational pursuits later. Lana chose to delve right into the academic pursuits and move into the work force more slowly.

Timothy is now 23 years old and working with his father In New Haven, CT. They both work for Applied Spine Technologies, a company that has given people with limited spinal movement a new lease on life. Dad is Sr. Quality Assurance Technician, and has been working with this company ever since he moved there in 2005. Tim connected with his dad, while they were both still in Texas and decided to move to CT with him when Tom changed jobs. Even though he started working right away, he still didn’t know what he wanted to do for a career. Tim frequented his father’s place of employment which gave him an opportunity to see professional people at work. He watched his father make significant contributions as part of a highly specialized team of professionals. Tim apparently made a very good impression on the people at his dad’s job, because when the job position of Operations Technician opened up, he applied and got it. Career wise, this was a big step in the right direction. He is working very hard, learning new things every day, and is even beginning to talk seriously about going to College. There is no doubt in my mind that he will continue to make a meaningful contribution to our world. We can’t be happier with the way he has grown up!

Lana will be 21 in October, and a Junior at St. John’s University in Jamaica Queens, NY. When I watch Lana’s progress I feel I am watching a flower bloom, in slow motion! Her career goals are a little unclear yet, but this has not slowed her down academically. She has ended her fourth semester with a 4.0 and her GPA is 3.56. This was only part of her education! The last two years has been a course in Life 101. I still remember the last anxious moments before our whole family left her on campus to begin her new life in August of ’06. By the end of Freshman year, I noticed a certain maturity developing. She moved into an apartment off campus, but close to the University, with friends. She appeared to be the leader of her group of friends, finding the apartment and actually moving in. Things seemed to be going well, until one morning at the end of February, when her apartment house caught fire. She grabbed her cat and ran out saving her self, but loosing most of her stuff. She knew well, how lucky she was! This was in the middle of the school year, which again meant she needed to find a new place to live, and relocate which she did, without missing a beat! Lana continues to have an interest in math and computers, with a possible application in cyber crime or some area of criminal justice. There is no doubt that she is climbing the ladder of success!.