April 4, 1944

My dear nephew Kenneth,

I can’t tell you how very glad I was to receive your very welcome letter. And I can hardly realize so much time has passed since then. When I first read it, I had such an urge to answer that very day. But as you see, I didn’t. About that time I was having quite a siege with shingles. And they lasted 7 weeks! Think of it! If you don’t know what they are, I will simply say, they are most distressing. So sore and painful. But thank goodness they are gone.

Next both Frances and Tarry got sick. Both had to go to the hospital. She to the Lutheran and Tarry to the vet. I had congestion of the left kidney (very acute). She suffered terribly. I couldn’t do anything with her. The Dr. gave 3 shots of operate and Hall and I took her to hospital. They gave a sulpha drug and she was soon relieved. We got Tarry home and the vet wanted him to come back. We took him expecting that in a few days he could come home feeling lively and like himself. In this we were grievously disappointed. Too we had to lose our dear little Jeh. He had the germ amoeba. It happened while Charles was home on furlough. Was glad of it, for he helped Hall to put him away in Hall’s back yard, where the little fellow had so loved to play. Can’t tell you how much I do miss him and everywhere. He was always with me as you know. I am so in hopes we can find another little Scottie. But his place will be hard to fill for I want a small-eyed one that I can carry.

To return to T. She is certainly doing fine. Has gained back all the pounds she lost.

To return to your letter. You were not the only one to be excited. Think your aunt Alice was about as happy over it as the grandparents. Your Dad does not say much, but I am sure he has never before had such a thrill.

And I was so pleased the way the dear little boys’ own dad reacted to the news. You are sure right Kenneth – some one has been awfully good to you and Claire. Think to bring you safely to the islands. And then to care for Claire all those months and bring her safely thru the crisis. I was so happy to know that aunt Eula had phoned you at once. I was regretting that it would be impossible to caffe. Never thought one could telephone. And she and little Douglas are still in His watchful care and so is the dear daddy. Be awfully careful of yourself so there will be a very happy reunion not many months [from now]. I suppose you do not know if your stay on a foreign shore will be shortened from what we first supposed --18 months.

And now I am wondering. Did I write and thank you for those very interesting bags you sent Frances and me for Christmas. I have a feeling that I did. I know I have not written Maliston and Beverly to thank them for a picture of Sharon I [received] then.

Glad you have that Ford sedan. And I hope is faithful to your needs. It sure must be nice to drive wherever you want to go.

Wish you could drop in and have fried chicken with us sometime. We were at Halls’ quite a lot when Charles was home. Once Hall got chicken and I fried them for the lunch. Hall made the gravy and it was all so good.

So glad Claire is taking Douglas to see the folks in May. Wish Harold could get a movie camera and run off some films for you.

Heaps of love from both,

Aunt Alice.

Forgot to tell you that last week I received the letter back that I had written you in San Francisco . Think I wrote about 3 letters while you were there. Suppose you received the others.

I sent the envelope on to your mother. It is indeed quite a curiosity, so many thing written, pasted, and printed on it. You could not see the original address. It had been cruising around for eight months.

Am wondering if our climate us similar to Hairier. We had lots of rain this spring. But the weather for the last two weeks has been perfect.

Now again. Do take the best care of yourself. Never take any risk.

Your doting Aunt.