Monday Dec 31 - 1956 At Home My dear Eleanor: I have your letter of the 18th, and if I dont get busy answering it -- it wont get answered in 1956 for there's only about ten hours left of 1956. Well it was good to read in it that your father keeps cheerful despite his severe pain when he tries to move. I am thankful too that he is in the newly built section which they were starting when I was there last summer. If he has some room-mates that he can do more to give him companionship it will help. I have often wondered why Mrs. Hooper or her husband didnt answer my letter of several months' ago inquiring about him. Possibly they might have felt that anything they might say would not be construed as they intended. At any rate when I wrote, I sent with it an envelope stamped and addressed to myself but no reply has ever come. I was up and saw Aunt Bess two weeks ago yesterday. She always is glad to see me but when I arrive she seems each time to be almost in tears, and though she hasn't recently broken down when I leave, she has constantly a great sense of loneliness. I still want to bring her home for a week end if the Management of the hospital will agree, and I dont think there should be any difficulty, for I spoke to her of the idea, and told her that she would have to agree to be willing to go back again, and she said she would, and I rather think by the talks I have had with her, that she would give us no trouble along that line. She tells me that she takes her own bath and attends to herself privately but I would have to have those things verified by the nurses before I attempt to bring her back for a week end. Week end visits home by patients in similar condition are being tried in many of the mental hospitals I understand with success. I always look forward with hope to still another visit with you all come summer time, but at 84 its difficult to forecast what one may do ahead. Your letter sounds cheerful, and I hope you are keeping well. My regards to Mr[s?] Dickinson and always much love to yourself Uncle Tom