1984 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
After a year like 1983 with that glorious trip to the Holy Land it wouldn't be easy to come up in 1984 with a newsletter packing the same inspiration and excitement. What to do? Well, we thought of just throwing up our hands, using commercial Xmas cards, and letting it go at that. Then we realized that life has quiet years too...accepted the fact that this has been pretty much like that...and decided to carry on with our own Christmas card tradition. And just to add a bit of nostalgia, we dug up a camelback picture from last year. It's guaranteed genuine. There just aren't many camels available in Texas! This one was on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Looking back, it was just another day at a time, adding up to weeks and months of our normally relaxed life out here in Bulverde, doing the chores, the gardening, and enjoying the visits from our friends and family. It was pretty much the way everybody lives these days. Not that there weren't complications.
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In February, Thelma had an attack of diverticulitis that got to involve hospital time, surgery, and this pretty much messed up her spring garden schedule. But then the garden didn't have much chance this year, anyhow. It was so dry and hot that water became a precious item. We used what we had to on our vegetables, but our beautiful lawns were just ruined. The situation got a little better in the fall, but for home gardening, this was a year to forget. But how do you forget not having to mow the grass all summer? It was just weirdo weather, starting with a record freeze last winter. In May, a hailstorm hit our house in town "230" and thoroughly ruined the roof.
We look forward to our summer visitors, and the first to come was Sister Angelica, from Corpus Christi. Later on, most of Thelma's family from the Dallas area were with us awhile...Bob & Melba Truly, Carol Truly, and her three energetic boys. John and Dana Barry came over from Beaumont too to see us. Then, almost completely unexpectedly, Ed, Dan, and Larry Eggleston, converged on Bulverde from Austin, Maryland and Missouri for a reunion with their father after 14 years. That sure had been a long, long time.
Shortly afterward, Les got into the hospital act too...a modified tonsillectomy to remove the uvula...it had been responsible for a had snoring problem for many years, and probably should have been done long ago, maybe even in childhood. The results sure are gratifying and well worth the short inconvenience period when eating was difficult.
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All through the year we were in close touch with Thelma's two daughters living in San Antonio, Chrystal and Lanie, each with two grandchildren for us to pamper, babysit, and spoil. Just like being a parent all over again, watching kids grow up, but without the cares and responsibilities. Grandparenthood seems to be highly regarded everywhere, and we sure enjoyed every bit of it as it came along.
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Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditional family get-together days, and this year we gathered at Chrystal's house for a special reason. She and Lynn had been alerted to duty in Germany starting in mid 1985. It sounds exciting! Maybe we'll get to Germany to visit them during their tour there. John and Dana made it over from Beaumont for the turkey fest and it was a glorious party for all. Then, on Christmas, we plan a double observance. First, in Bulverde, then we'll drive over to Beaumont to join John and Dana. Chrystal and Lynn will be there too. Just like having a Thankschristmas this year!
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We had an extra reason for being thankful this year. Seven is a lucky number, and we were married in Seventy Seven - on the Twenty Seventh. So this was our Seventh Anniversary!
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As usual, we are listing our various addresses and those of the family for convenience in writing.
THE EGGLESTONS
230 Montpelier
San Antonio, TX 78228
(512) 734-0698
P.O. Box 33 or Rte. 3 Box 3191
Bulverde, TX 78163
(512) 438-2912
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