Joseph C Thomas
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Letters from Cheyenne
Sep 1962 – Jun 1963
These are a series of letters sent by my family to Bob Thomas (my father's brother, and my uncle) and his wife at the time Joanne. My father, Lawrence J Thomas, was in the Air Force stationed at F E Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, waiting for his discharge after twenty years of service.
During this time, my Uncle Bob married Joanne and had their first child Larry (named after my father).
This is a transcript of each of those letters.
Joseph C. Thomas
26 September 1962
Dear Joann and Bob;
Welcome to the family Joann. I hope you’ll enjoy being a Thomas as much as I do. Mom wrote that your wedding was simply beautiful and that you were a lovely bride. We regret very much that we had to miss it.
Bob, dear I hope you’ll forgive our forgetting you birthday, hope you had a happy one and we’ll do better next year. Mom says that you can’t get into your apt. until Nov. I’ll bet you can hardly wait. It must be hard to have your clothes in one house and you in another Bob, but in a couple of years you’ll be laughing over it.
As Mom has probably told you we have a house and are pretty well settled now. Now all I’ll have to do is make curtains for every room in the house and bed spreads and I’ll have it made.
We are looking forward to having you visit us whenever you are able, so be sure and plan on it.
We like Cheyenne very well, the people seem very friendly and nice. The place is quite small so it is quite easy to get around it. Larry has the car every day and I’m too lazy to drive him and pick him up so that means I can’t get out. There is no bus service here, have you ever heard of such a thing?
Larry, the children and I want to wish you all the happiness and best wishes there could be. Don’t forget to write and also don’t forget what I told you Joann if you ever have any problems or anything I can help you with please drop a line.
Much love from us five,
Terry & Larry
P.S. We expect a complete description of the wedding.
Wed. Dec. 29, 1962
Dear Aunt Joanne & Uncle Bob,
How are you feeling? I am feeling fine.
Thank you for the wood burning set. I enjoy it very much. I did the cat picture, the lion picture, and the donkey picture. I was going to write you a letter wrote with the wood burning set. I was going to write it on foil. My father has a woodburning set, too, but he does not have the pictures to burn.
Your Loving Nephew,
Joe Thomas
29 Dec. 1962
Dear Aunt Joann & Uncle Bob,
Thank you for the muff and hat.
I like it very much and the cherry.
How are you and Uncle Bob doing.
I am fine and Joey is fine.
Our family is fine too even Mitzie.
I have got a Barbie doll and a doll dream house.
Love,
Laurie
2 January 1963
Dearest Joanne & Bob –
I’ve been going to write to thank you for all your lovely gifts but I’m glad I waited so I could tell you that I wore that lovely beautiful lounge set New Year’s Eve. I love it, how could you know it was just what I wanted. I bought gold thong sandals to wear with it. The waist is a little snug but I gained over the holidays. I’m starting today to take it off.
The kids loved their gifts also. Laurie looks darling in her hat & muff. Joey really enjoys his woodburning set too.
Larry wore his shirt New Year’s Eve & he has slacks that go with the shirt like they were made for each other.
I hope you’ve had time to either replace the dishes or exchange them. Please if you don’t like them feel free to exchange them. Next year we’ll try to do better. My best friend Dolly has them & she loves them.
The snow is almost gone but it is still cold.
The kids really enjoyed the New Year’s card. Aren’t you thoughtful!
They go to school Monday and then the holidays will really be over.
For New Year’s we stayed home. We let Joe & Laurie stay up late & then they also woke up at a quarter to twelve so we had a party. Larry & I had a few hi-balls a few dances. We (Larry & I) got to bed around 2 am. We were thinking about the times you were with us in Germany, Bob. I think those were our happiest holidays since the year we were in Detroit for Christmas.
Well guess I’ll close for this time. Thanks again for all the lovely gifts. Much, much love, Terry and Larry.
XX OO from J & L
Sunday, January 13, 1963
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Dear Aunt Joanne and Uncle Bob,
How are you feeling? I am feeling fine.
Both Laurie and I had a very “Happy New Year”.
Santa brought me a chemistry set, a automobile, microscope, a book about rocks, a jewelry box, a pen and pencile set, a toolbox with a saw, a screwdriver, nails, a hammer, a level, a ruler, a square, a phillips screwdriver, sandpaper, pliers, woodburning skill set, soaky toy, coloring book, crayons, slippers, art book, a whistle, and 2 shirts.
I like school. I’m still in third grade.
Love and Kisses,
Joe Thomas
7 March 1963
Dearest Joanne & Bob-
I’m trying to write one letter a morning and in that way catch up with my all my correspondence. Before I continue tho would you give Mom a message for me? Tell her I lost those seeds she sent me. They were for a red plant that her next door neighbor has. I would sure appreciate more.
I hope I get to plant flowers in this place. The weather is awful. We had 6” of snow the other day & the roads are still snowy. They don’t believe in plowing until after the snow stops. Bob, you’d get a kick out of seeing me drive, even at night on theses snow & ice packed roads. I’m not afraid any more and I’m real proud of myself. I guess the real test will come when I go to Detroit.
I love this car. It rides like a jewel over ice * sno and I haven’t gotten stuck yet.
As you know I’m selling Sarah Coventry jewelry. I love it although I’m not making much money yet. Larry says he doesn’t care as long as I get all the jewelry I want. I have six shows booked for next week so I should be alright. Do you like jewelry, Joanne? I like large earrings & bracelets.
Your time is drawing near. I’m hoping you have a boy on Joe’s birthday.
Does a doting aunt get to spoil the baby a little bit? I hope so.
If we don’t get home do you still think you’ll be able to come out here this summer? The baby will be at the best traveling age.
How soon after it’s born will you have him christened? Bob do you have the crib finished yet?
You two are so lucky to be going.
Kathy is still the same. Her double app’t on Monday was canceled because of the weather but she has one the 25 th.
near your folks. I know our kids miss that part of their lives & I do too.
Can’t think of much else. Oh yes. Joe joined the Cub Scouts & Laurie is a Brownie. We went to the Blue & Gold banquet Friday nite and Joey looked darling in his uniform. Laurie gets hers Sat. & the Girl Scout banquet is Monday night & we are all
So long for now and much love from all of us.
Terry & Larry
P.S. Please give this coupon to Mom.
Sunday Afternoon
28 April 1963
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Dear Joanne and Bob,
I know that I am owed a letter – but the recent happenings around your house I’ll forgive you this once. But things should be pretty well settled in a routine fashion by now so I hope that it won’t be too long before we hear from you.
I am flattered no end in having the little one named after me. I never thought I’d see the day that such a thing would happen. I thank you both profusely and hope that little Larry will grow up a lot better man than his uncle.
We certainly hope that soon you will take some pictures of him and send a few to us. It’s a sad thing when a family has to depend upon snapshots to become familiar with each other. But that’s the way life is at the present – maybe we can do something about that in the future – who knows? Anyway, June will be the deciding month!
We sent a gift (through Sears) as a token of our congratulations but meaning we haven’t heard from you we are wondering if you have received it. Mom didn’t mention a thing about it in her last letter and we are getting a bit concerned. Let us know huh?
Things have been a little hectic around here the last couple of weeks. Terry was going crazy making cakes, etc. As you know, last Sunday Laurie made her First Communion and we had a house full of people. It was also Joey’ s birthday but we talked him into waiting until the next day to celebrate it. Terry no sooner had the house cleaned up and then it was Friday and Laurie became eight years old! Well, the celebrations are now over and we are doing nothing but resting and doing some of the more pleasant chores – such as writing to you all.
I am very interested in knowing, in advance, when do you intend to have Larry’s christening? I don’t know that I can, but there might be a slight possibility that I can get enough leave to come to Detroit for that festive occasion. Due to the distance, the kids school and some other irritating items, I won’t be able to bring the entire family. If it can be worked, the plan at the present is for me to fly into Selfridge via military aircraft. So, keep me informed.
Take care of my nephew and lets hope that the pressing duties of parenthood won’t keep you from dropping us a line soon.
Love,
Terry & Larry
Saturday
18 May 1963
Dear Joann & Bob & “Lil” Larry –
It’s so nice to hear from you so often. We aren’t used to hearing from Bob. I’m glad he married such a nice letter writer. Larry and I both enjoy your letters so much.
We were so happy to hear you liked the bathinette & that it was the kind you wanted.
Thanks for the slides. Your living room looks beautiful and our nephew is adorable. I’d love to be there to spoil him. You really should be glad we don’t live closer. We’d really ruin him for you.
Glad you liked the jewelry. Yes Sarah is lovely jewelry and it’s good. I sell quite a bit of it, although my shows have slacked off for the summer I guess. I have held 39 since the 15 th of Feb. You’ll flip when you see all I’ve collected, over $200.00 worth. I’ve been having a ball with the money just buying things we can do without. Last week I bought two dresses – one black & one white, just plain sheaths & also a pink hat.
A beautiful badminton set arrived today for Laurie & Joey. They were thrilled. Did you send it? There was no name. It came from Sears. If you did, they thank you & we do too.
We are all fine although Larry has been ill with a very bad cold. It’s been hanging on for a week & a half.
Mom was tickled over her orchid corsage you both gave her for Mothers Day. She said she liked the jewelry too.
All our jewelry has a name. Your earrings are called Sabrina Fair & the necklace is “one & only.”
I’m sure by now you know that Larry won’t be out for the christening as Joe is in the Cub Scout parade the 25 th. He was chosen over 69 other boys to carry the American flag in the parade. I’m sure you’ll understand that Larry must see Joe in the parade.
Your hair sounds real snazzy. I’m trying to let mine grow for a French roll.
Today is Armed Forces Day. We went downtown to the parade & then out to the flight line to see our Atlas missile. It is the same type as the Faith 7 that took Maj. Cooper into space.
I’ll bet you are enjoying nice weather. It’s nice here during the day but the nights are cool.
You should see your brother, Bob, he struts around Cheyenne in his jeans & a cowboy hat. He really looks good.
Well guess this is it for this time.
Write soon & lots of love from us 5.
Hug and kiss our little Larry 100 times for us.
Terry & Larry
9 June 1963
Dear Joanne, Bob & Larry –
Rec’d your most welcome letters. Larry is too lazy so I’ll try to answer.
We were very unhappy to hear about the school as it means that we won’t get to see little Larry. We won’t be in until Oct. or Nov. & you’ll both be gone. Too bad you couldn’t have come here before you left for Hartford.
We are all fine here. Just marking time until Larry gets out. Don’t know if I’ll like civilian life or not. Been rattling around so long.
I have a package here for the baby, all I need to do is wrap & mail it. I’m lousy at getting packages out. Ask the folks, they always get theirs late for what ever the occasion is. I bought him two adorable suits, and also the rattles. Got them a month ago. Hope he looks good in red as it’s my favorite & anything I buy him to wear will no doubt be red.
Business is slow but I manage to have one show a week. Too bad you won’t be in Detroit to have a show for me. If you decide you’d still like to have a jewelry show you can have one with a cardex – it has all the features. A hostess gets quite a bit for having a show. A piece of jewelry for booking it, a $2.00 certificate for holding it and a $1.00 credit for each person that buys & a $1.00 credit for each booking. The jewelry runs from $1.98 to $14.98 per piece plus tax.
Well guess I will close this short note for now no news here. Same old routine. Don’t know what I’ll do without a move to look forward too. Guess I’ll spend all my days playing cards with Mom.
So long for now. Write real soon.
Love from the kids & us, Terry and Larry.
Forgot to tell Mom they both passed.
25 June 1963
Dear Joanne & Bob –
Rec’d your letter & we too are unhappy at the thoughts of missing you. We want to see our little Larry. At this rate he’ll be walking by the time we see him.
I really can’t blame you for not wanting to give up your nice apt. If you go tho you’ll love it. I was brought up in New London, Conn.
I know if the kids do go to Detroit early Laurie would love to stay with you.
There isn’t much to write about. Joe & Laurie go swimming three times a week & when I don’t have a show I stay home.
I made unit manager last week. I have three girls working for me & hope to get more soon.
I’m so glad you like Sarah as that’s probably what the whole family will get for birthdays, etc. as long as I’m with the company. Wait until you see all I have.
Well guess this isn’t much but really don’t have much to write about.
So long for now
Much, much love,
Terry & Larry
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
Give all of these to Larry.
Letters from CheyenneSep 1962 – Jun 1963These are a series of letters sent by my family to Bob Thomas (my father's brother, and my uncle) and his wife at the time Joanne. My father, Lawrence J Thomas, was in the Air Force stationed at F E Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, waiting for his discharge after twenty years of service. During this time, my Uncle Bob married Joanne and had their first child Larry (named after my father). This is a transcript of each of those letters. Joseph C. Thomas
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26 September 1962 Dear Joann and Bob; Welcome to the family Joann. I hope you’ll enjoy being a Thomas as much as I do. Mom wrote that your wedding was simply beautiful and that you were a lovely bride. We regret very much that we had to miss it. Bob, dear I hope you’ll forgive our forgetting you birthday, hope you had a happy one and we’ll do better next year. Mom says that you can’t get into your apt. until Nov. I’ll bet you can hardly wait. It must be hard to have your clothes in one house and you in another Bob, but in a couple of years you’ll be laughing over it. As Mom has probably told you we have a house and are pretty well settled now. Now all I’ll have to do is make curtains for every room in the house and bed spreads and I’ll have it made. We are looking forward to having you visit us whenever you are able, so be sure and plan on it. We like Cheyenne very well, the people seem very friendly and nice. The place is quite small so it is quite easy to get around it. Larry has the car every day and I’m too lazy to drive him and pick him up so that means I can’t get out. There is no bus service here, have you ever heard of such a thing? Larry, the children and I want to wish you all the happiness and best wishes there could be. Don’t forget to write and also don’t forget what I told you Joann if you ever have any problems or anything I can help you with please drop a line. Much love from us five, Terry & Larry P.S. We expect a complete description of the wedding.
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Wed. Dec. 29, 1962 Dear Aunt Joanne & Uncle Bob, How are you feeling? I am feeling fine. Thank you for the wood burning set. I enjoy it very much. I did the cat picture, the lion picture, and the donkey picture. I was going to write you a letter wrote with the wood burning set. I was going to write it on foil. My father has a woodburning set, too, but he does not have the pictures to burn. Your Loving Nephew, Joe Thomas
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29 Dec. 1962 Dear Aunt Joann & Uncle Bob, Thank you for the muff and hat. I like it very much and the cherry. How are you and Uncle Bob doing. I am fine and Joey is fine. Our family is fine too even Mitzie. I have got a Barbie doll and a doll dream house.
Love, Laurie |
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2 January 1963
Dearest Joanne & Bob – I’ve been going to write to thank you for all your lovely gifts but I’m glad I waited so I could tell you that I wore that lovely beautiful lounge set New Year’s Eve. I love it, how could you know it was just what I wanted. I bought gold thong sandals to wear with it. The waist is a little snug but I gained over the holidays. I’m starting today to take it off. The kids loved their gifts also. Laurie looks darling in her hat & muff. Joey really enjoys his woodburning set too. Larry wore his shirt New Year’s Eve & he has slacks that go with the shirt like they were made for each other. I hope you’ve had time to either replace the dishes or exchange them. Please if you don’t like them feel free to exchange them. Next year we’ll try to do better. My best friend Dolly has them & she loves them. The snow is almost gone but it is still cold. The kids really enjoyed the New Year’s card. Aren’t you thoughtful! They go to school Monday and then the holidays will really be over. For New Year’s we stayed home. We let Joe & Laurie stay up late & then they also woke up at a quarter to twelve so we had a party. Larry & I had a few hi-balls a few dances. We (Larry & I) got to bed around 2 am. We were thinking about the times you were with us in Germany, Bob. I think those were our happiest holidays since the year we were in Detroit for Christmas. Well guess I’ll close for this time. Thanks again for all the lovely gifts. Much, much love, Terry and Larry. XX OO from J & L |
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Sunday, January 13, 1963 Cheyenne, Wyoming
Dear Aunt Joanne and Uncle Bob, How are you feeling? I am feeling fine. Both Laurie and I had a very “Happy New Year”. Santa brought me a chemistry set, a automobile, microscope, a book about rocks, a jewelry box, a pen and pencile set, a toolbox with a saw, a screwdriver, nails, a hammer, a level, a ruler, a square, a phillips screwdriver, sandpaper, pliers, woodburning skill set, soaky toy, coloring book, crayons, slippers, art book, a whistle, and 2 shirts. I like school. I’m still in third grade. Love and Kisses, Joe Thomas |
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7 March 1963
Dearest Joanne & Bob- I’m trying to write one letter a morning and in that way catch up with my all my correspondence. Before I continue tho would you give Mom a message for me? Tell her I lost those seeds she sent me. They were for a red plant that her next door neighbor has. I would sure appreciate more. I hope I get to plant flowers in this place. The weather is awful. We had 6” of snow the other day & the roads are still snowy. They don’t believe in plowing until after the snow stops. Bob, you’d get a kick out of seeing me drive, even at night on theses snow & ice packed roads. I’m not afraid any more and I’m real proud of myself. I guess the real test will come when I go to Detroit. I love this car. It rides like a jewel over ice * sno and I haven’t gotten stuck yet. As you know I’m selling Sarah Coventry jewelry. I love it although I’m not making much money yet. Larry says he doesn’t care as long as I get all the jewelry I want. I have six shows booked for next week so I should be alright. Do you like jewelry, Joanne? I like large earrings & bracelets. Your time is drawing near. I’m hoping you have a boy on Joe’s birthday. Does a doting aunt get to spoil the baby a little bit? I hope so. If we don’t get home do you still think you’ll be able to come out here this summer? The baby will be at the best traveling age. How soon after it’s born will you have him christened? Bob do you have the crib finished yet? You two are so lucky to be going. Kathy is still the same. Her double app’t on Monday was canceled because of the weather but she has one the 25 th. near your folks. I know our kids miss that part of their lives & I do too. Can’t think of much else. Oh yes. Joe joined the Cub Scouts & Laurie is a Brownie. We went to the Blue & Gold banquet Friday nite and Joey looked darling in his uniform. Laurie gets hers Sat. & the Girl Scout banquet is Monday night & we are all So long for now and much love from all of us. Terry & Larry P.S. Please give this coupon to Mom. |
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Sunday Afternoon 28 April 1963 Cheyenne, Wyo.
Dear Joanne and Bob, I know that I am owed a letter – but the recent happenings around your house I’ll forgive you this once. But things should be pretty well settled in a routine fashion by now so I hope that it won’t be too long before we hear from you. I am flattered no end in having the little one named after me. I never thought I’d see the day that such a thing would happen. I thank you both profusely and hope that little Larry will grow up a lot better man than his uncle. We certainly hope that soon you will take some pictures of him and send a few to us. It’s a sad thing when a family has to depend upon snapshots to become familiar with each other. But that’s the way life is at the present – maybe we can do something about that in the future – who knows? Anyway, June will be the deciding month! We sent a gift (through Sears) as a token of our congratulations but meaning we haven’t heard from you we are wondering if you have received it. Mom didn’t mention a thing about it in her last letter and we are getting a bit concerned. Let us know huh? Things have been a little hectic around here the last couple of weeks. Terry was going crazy making cakes, etc. As you know, last Sunday Laurie made her First Communion and we had a house full of people. It was also Joey’ s birthday but we talked him into waiting until the next day to celebrate it. Terry no sooner had the house cleaned up and then it was Friday and Laurie became eight years old! Well, the celebrations are now over and we are doing nothing but resting and doing some of the more pleasant chores – such as writing to you all. I am very interested in knowing, in advance, when do you intend to have Larry’s christening? I don’t know that I can, but there might be a slight possibility that I can get enough leave to come to Detroit for that festive occasion. Due to the distance, the kids school and some other irritating items, I won’t be able to bring the entire family. If it can be worked, the plan at the present is for me to fly into Selfridge via military aircraft. So, keep me informed. Take care of my nephew and lets hope that the pressing duties of parenthood won’t keep you from dropping us a line soon. Love, Terry & Larry |
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Saturday 18 May 1963
Dear Joann & Bob & “Lil” Larry – It’s so nice to hear from you so often. We aren’t used to hearing from Bob. I’m glad he married such a nice letter writer. Larry and I both enjoy your letters so much. We were so happy to hear you liked the bathinette & that it was the kind you wanted. Thanks for the slides. Your living room looks beautiful and our nephew is adorable. I’d love to be there to spoil him. You really should be glad we don’t live closer. We’d really ruin him for you. Glad you liked the jewelry. Yes Sarah is lovely jewelry and it’s good. I sell quite a bit of it, although my shows have slacked off for the summer I guess. I have held 39 since the 15 th of Feb. You’ll flip when you see all I’ve collected, over $200.00 worth. I’ve been having a ball with the money just buying things we can do without. Last week I bought two dresses – one black & one white, just plain sheaths & also a pink hat. A beautiful badminton set arrived today for Laurie & Joey. They were thrilled. Did you send it? There was no name. It came from Sears. If you did, they thank you & we do too. We are all fine although Larry has been ill with a very bad cold. It’s been hanging on for a week & a half. Mom was tickled over her orchid corsage you both gave her for Mothers Day. She said she liked the jewelry too. All our jewelry has a name. Your earrings are called Sabrina Fair & the necklace is “one & only.” I’m sure by now you know that Larry won’t be out for the christening as Joe is in the Cub Scout parade the 25 th. He was chosen over 69 other boys to carry the American flag in the parade. I’m sure you’ll understand that Larry must see Joe in the parade. Your hair sounds real snazzy. I’m trying to let mine grow for a French roll. Today is Armed Forces Day. We went downtown to the parade & then out to the flight line to see our Atlas missile. It is the same type as the Faith 7 that took Maj. Cooper into space. I’ll bet you are enjoying nice weather. It’s nice here during the day but the nights are cool. You should see your brother, Bob, he struts around Cheyenne in his jeans & a cowboy hat. He really looks good. Well guess this is it for this time. Write soon & lots of love from us 5. Hug and kiss our little Larry 100 times for us. Terry & Larry
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9 June 1963 Dear Joanne, Bob & Larry – Rec’d your most welcome letters. Larry is too lazy so I’ll try to answer. We were very unhappy to hear about the school as it means that we won’t get to see little Larry. We won’t be in until Oct. or Nov. & you’ll both be gone. Too bad you couldn’t have come here before you left for Hartford. We are all fine here. Just marking time until Larry gets out. Don’t know if I’ll like civilian life or not. Been rattling around so long. I have a package here for the baby, all I need to do is wrap & mail it. I’m lousy at getting packages out. Ask the folks, they always get theirs late for what ever the occasion is. I bought him two adorable suits, and also the rattles. Got them a month ago. Hope he looks good in red as it’s my favorite & anything I buy him to wear will no doubt be red. Business is slow but I manage to have one show a week. Too bad you won’t be in Detroit to have a show for me. If you decide you’d still like to have a jewelry show you can have one with a cardex – it has all the features. A hostess gets quite a bit for having a show. A piece of jewelry for booking it, a $2.00 certificate for holding it and a $1.00 credit for each person that buys & a $1.00 credit for each booking. The jewelry runs from $1.98 to $14.98 per piece plus tax. Well guess I will close this short note for now no news here. Same old routine. Don’t know what I’ll do without a move to look forward too. Guess I’ll spend all my days playing cards with Mom. So long for now. Write real soon. Love from the kids & us, Terry and Larry. Forgot to tell Mom they both passed.
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25 June 1963 Dear Joanne & Bob – Rec’d your letter & we too are unhappy at the thoughts of missing you. We want to see our little Larry. At this rate he’ll be walking by the time we see him. I really can’t blame you for not wanting to give up your nice apt. If you go tho you’ll love it. I was brought up in New London, Conn. I know if the kids do go to Detroit early Laurie would love to stay with you. There isn’t much to write about. Joe & Laurie go swimming three times a week & when I don’t have a show I stay home. I made unit manager last week. I have three girls working for me & hope to get more soon. I’m so glad you like Sarah as that’s probably what the whole family will get for birthdays, etc. as long as I’m with the company. Wait until you see all I have. Well guess this isn’t much but really don’t have much to write about. So long for now Much, much love, Terry & Larry XXXXXX XXXXXX Give all of these to Larry.
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