Letters from Tom Henderson

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November 25, 1955


	Friday Evening Nov 25 - 1955

My dear Eleanor:

	Thank you so much for your splendid encouraging letter in the box waiting for 
me when I got in tonight from the Lab: -- you have shown by what your work with 
the Boring Aunties has accomplished already at 7016, that I surely think if you 
can see your way to bring your father home without endangering your own health, 
by all means do it, for when he sees a newly renovated house it will encourage 
him no end.  Really I feel greatly encouraged for him myself.  I want to write 
him again, but feel I must wait for word from you that you might think he would 
react favorably to hearing about Aunt Bess' new abode, so if you could write 
him first about what I have told you all about her, it would prepare the way 
for a letter from me.  But if you don't think it wise -- ignore my suggestion

	A letter from Ron in the same mail as the arrival of yours tells of your 
fathers failing eyesight due to cataracts, but he tells me, he sees your father 
two or three times a week which I think is splendid for with his school work 
and family to attend to, he must be fully occupied.  Both of you are showing 
real affection in your efforts in his behalf, and Ron winds up his good letter 
by admonishing me to keep up my own spirits, looking forward to next Summer.  
Well dear I truly hope there may be yet another summer for me since I for the 
last six years have looked forward to my visits to see you all.  It was just 
last Saturday I turned 83, and I feel very thankful to God for the measure of 
health I have enjoyed so far, and pray it may continue.

	Roberts new wife Beryl and Esther drove up to Sedro Woolley last Tuesday, and 
they found Aunt Bess in very comfortable quarters, and had a nice hour and a 
half visit with her, but as I have said she seems to have no idea of time or 
place, for when she inquired about Uncle Jim, she told Beryl and Esther it was 
*years* since she heard from Jim, and although they reminded her that I had 
seen her only about ten days previously she seemed to think it was a very long 
time since she had seen me.  So of course there is a lot for the force of 
psychiatrists to do for Aunt Bess but I am hopeful she may come back *normal* 
again.  I think she would be glad to get a letter from you, for she seems to 
remember the members of the family, and she said to Esther and Beryl that she 
wanted to have the family about her.  I am planning on going up to see her soon 
but it will probably be a few days into December before I can get away.  She 
seemed glad to get Carrie Andersons letter and package.  I think the package 
contained a sweater but the hospital doesnt encourage the sending of clothing I 
understand.

	If you write give her full name Elizabeth D. Henderson and send it to Northern 
State Hospital Sedro Woolley but I would suggest you dont say anything about 
her being in a hospital.  Just write an ordinary letter, and ignore the 
existence of the place.

	You can be sure she is in a good place and whatever can be done to restore her 
to normal health is going to be done.

	I am anxious to get up to see her, so I can report to you, but I am just as 
anxious about your father and feel that if it is *feasible for you and your 
health* that he can come back to 7016 Stewart Av. it will give him a new lease 
of life.

		Lovingly
			Uncle Tom

The distance from Seattle to Sedro Woolley by driving is about 75 miles North 
by a little East.

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