Friday P.M. at Home 10/25/57 My dear Eleanor: As I write this as the result of a phone call last Evening (no -- night before last) from Uncle Jim I learned that on Wednesday your fathers remains have been placed in a cemetary in Chicago on the North side, but I didn't quite catch its name, but I learned he died last Sunday Morning. I explained both in a letter sent by Air on either Tuesday or Wednesday to the folks at 11055, both Robert and I were out of town when Ronald's phone call came on Sunday last. I was up in Sedro Woolley calling on Aunt Bess and Robert was visiting some friends in connection with a little outing they were planning. Then when I arrived back here at 7.30 Sunday Evening Robert called me and gave me the very sad news of your fathers passing. Ronald I understand had finally reached Roberts home and gave the news to Beryl. I already have written to Ronald yesterday. Well Eleanor dear while your last letter to me observed that your fathers memory was failing I was not prepared for his passing so soon, so while it is quite a shock, it is a relief to know that he is out of the pains he has endured so heroically -- yes even cheerfully during these past eight or ten years, for my visits to him after Aunt Flo's passing were always for some years in company with Uncle Jim to 7016 Stewart when both your father and Evalyn were still there. Now, they're both gone. I like to think and strongly hope that those dear to us who have passed on are almost immediately invested with some kind of a spirit body in which they meet those they knew on Earth, so maybe by now your father has already met both your Mother and Evelyn, and possibly Aunt Flo, giving them news about us all. Of course for we three remaining of the Henderson family that came to the U.S. in the Spring of 1881, it wont be long till we all are gathered in, but naturally we want to stay as long as we can be happy and well and of some use, but as regards our hopes as above stated, we have only these limited finite minds to guide us on this earth. But Christ said to his disciples "I go to prepare a place for you" so of course that must apply to *all* who believe on Him. Here Im going to quote from memory that little poem of Rudyard Kipling "Le Envoi." When Earths last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried -- when the oldest colors have faded and the youngest critic has died. -- We shall rest and faith! we shall need it -- Lie down for an aeon or two, till the Master of all good workmen, shall set us to work anew. And those that were good will be happy. They shall sit in a golden Chair. They shall splash at a ten league canvas with brushes of Comets hair. They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter and Paul -- They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all. And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame, and no one shall work for Money and no one shall work for fame. But each for the joy of the working and each in his separate star, shall draw the thing as he sees it for the God of things as they are. Well Eleanor Aunt Bess seems physically quite well, but possesses only a childs memory, and with her former abundance of hair cut strait off below her ears -- not curled but flat and strait and without a real definite expression although her color is good she just doesnt look like your Aunt Bess. Then on this call I made last Sunday she was without her teeth, which aggravated her empty expression. However she always recognizes me at once, although she doesn't seem to be aware of any others of the family, and she never inquires of anyone. I am glad I didnt have the news of your fathers passing while I was with her, for if I had, and had told her of it -- it might have disturbed her, though really I almost doubt that. So this is all for now dear -- write when you can. By the way I was asked over the phone by Uncle Jim if I would be coming there for Christmas, but I can see no chance of that. Affectionately Uncle Tom