Annual Retreat with Phil Egger

This month we are remembering that each July for past five years, we had the opportunity to retreat up in the mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico with our friends: Phil Egger and Ken Keller. Last summer, we spent from a Sunday evening till Wednesday afternoon–4 complete days together. Some of our best moments were spent eating wonderful meals that Phil prepared for us–we feasted on prime rib and lobster bisque.
Each day, we read out loud to each other the short novel by Wendell Berry, “A World Lost.” We never imagined that it would be our last retreat with Phil.
In November, a sudden phone call alerted us to Phil’s being hospitalized and we journeyed to El Paso to be with him. A gift for us was arriving to have a visit with Phil and his daughters Dominique and Cassandra while he was still lucid.
In May, we were able to be with Phil’s family and to place his ashes in the memorial garden at the family cabin. We miss you, Phil! We carry you in our hearts and know that you are still here in the communion of saints.

This is a picture of the Egger Cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. It is a holy place blessed by their family across many generations.