Today starts Christmas week. One week from today is Christmas. To celebrate the week, I will publish copies of my Famous annual Christmas Letter. On Saturday, Christmas Eve, I will be posting this years creation. I hope you enjoy this look back at Christmases past.
The year was 1983 and the following was the first Sriner Christmas Letter:
Dear
Friends,
For
years Pat and I have read the wide varieties of Christmas letters from friends
and relatives. Year after year, they come bringing good tidings and all the good
news from the Previous year. They tell of Prosperity and good health. There is
always a list of the many accomplishments of all the children and relatives.
With all this in mind, it is obvious to us that everyone who takes
the effort to write and send Christmas letters is always rewarded with another
year of unlimited good luck. Now, we too will join this list of those who shape
their own destiny by sending the Notorious Christmas Letter. You must keep in
mind that this is our first wear so you might say we are just priming the pump.
Next wear we can tell you about all the good things that have happened in 1984.
This year we will just have to tell you the truth!
The
year started off with Pat's being out of work and my business being next to
non-existent. Fortunately, the winter was not too severe so it wasn't too bad
without any heat. The Christmas candles we got for Christmas were a help, when
they shut off the Power. The bean seeds that we had saved from the garden
started to sprout in the basement; so we did have some green vegetables for a
change. We let the dog out every morning to scrounge the neighborhood for his
own food. By the time February came around, things started to get bad. The
candles were gone, the bean sprouts were starting to mold and the neighbors
started to lock their garbage can lids. It was right then we decided; NEXT
YEAR WE SEND OUT A CHRISTMAS LETTER!!
Immediately things started to turn around. Just knowing that things would be
better seemed to help. My work began to pick up. Pat got a new Job with a local
law firm as a legal secretary. For Fathers Day, Pat registered me for a drawing
at a local Jeweler. To our surprise I won a $200 Gift certificate.
Krystal started back to school. Now she was in the first grade. At last she
was going to school all day. This gave me more time to work and Pat didn't have
to worry so much. Our bills were caught up and we were sitting on top of the
world. Pat was on a roll; so she put our name in a drawing at a local department
store and again we won first Prize. It was an all-expense Paid trip to
Washington, D.C. Things were going so well that we decided to get a new truck
for my business as we now felt we could afford the Payments. We took the trip
to D.C. and enjoyed every minute of it. As the trip was for four People, we
were able to take my Mom with us. When the time came to come home, we were
simply overjoyed to think of' how well everything was going. Things were so
good, we didn't think we would need to send out a Christmas letter after all.
That
was a mistake! Krystal's class at school was split up and she went into a new
lst-2nd grade split class. She had to leave most of her friends. She came down
with a sore throat and since I was in the middle of a Job, Pat had to stay home
with her! Pat's boss didn't like that, and she was laid off! PERMANENTLY!! I
now we had a new truck and Payments, with one less Paycheck. Pat's Parents
left for their trip around the world in 81 days so we lost that regular free
meal. Then the teachers went on strike and the schools closed down. By the time
Krystal was back in school, Pat was ready for the funny farm. You
know how it is with forced vacations, when it is too cold to Play outside -
Disaster!!
It was
obvious to us that it was the old Christmas Letter Syndrone. We had to make a
firm commitment to send one out. So here it is.
Now,
Pat has started back to work with the school district as a secretary. It doesn't
pay as much as she is used to, but it is a doorway into the system. The work is
enjoyable because she is working in the refugees Program and she can work with
people. She needs to feel she is doing something for People, so this new
Position looks to be very' rewarding in that respect. I had been keeping busy
with my work until this month, which is always a slow time. It gives me a chance
to work on my new computer and get my books in order for the start of a new
year. It also gives me a chance to write this Christmas Letter. Krystal is back
in school and she loves it. She has really taken to reading and is reading way
above her grade level. Being a Poor reader in school myself, I really am glad
to see her doing so well. Looks like we are settling back to normal. It is
comforting to know; now that we have sent out our first Christmas letter, we
will no loner have to worry about the future. Now we have our thoughts in order.
Next
year we will be able to tell you all the good news this letter has
precipitated. But for now, let us say,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
May the Glories of this Christmas Season fill
you with love and Peace and may they stay with you throughout the coming New
Year 1984.
With love and Light,
I AM,
Dulany, Pat, Krystal
& Shep
