The staff told me today that everyone in the Mansion will now have a present under the tree, and for the first time in some time. Your gifts and messages and thoughtfulness have been magic, everyone at the Mansion tells me it is their happiest Christmas. Your letters and cards are everywhere – on bulletin boards, dressers, on night tables, clutched in grateful hands.
Connie asked me to be sure to thank you, she has two baskets full of yarn by her chair, and another box arrived for her and others this afternoon. Some people drove hours to go to the Battenkill Book Store to buy some of my books and bring them to the Mansion, I signed them today.
Two people drove from far away to drop off cookies, others sent flowers which decorate the common room where the tree is filling up with gifts. I’m bringing ten boxes of cookies tomorrow. Your generosity is boundless and I wish all of you could see what Red and I saw today – all kinds of happiness, gratitude, excitement and appreciation.
Your gifts are everywhere, including a beautiful floral arrangement that is now the centerpiece of the common room. I’ll try and get a photo tomorrow.
The Mansion is lovingly run, people are grateful to be there. But life inside is complex. Connie was in the hospital a day or so ago, she had severe pains in her back and chest and was taken to the hospital by ambulance at 4 a.m. – she had to be strapped in a flat gurney for a long ride in the ice and snow – and spent the day being tested at the hospital. She has heart and other issues.
She is back home, it seems to be bronchitis.
She is going to spend part of Christmas day at her son’s home, there is just too much equipment for her to stay over at his house. The rooms are often empty at the Mansion, as people often go to the hospital to be checked or treated. Time has a different essence here, the outside world sometimes see so far away, but the memories of a different life are fresh.
So many people hug Red and tell me of the dog or cat they had to give away or send to a shelter when they came to the Mansion, they miss their animals acutely, and the sight of Red brings a great deal of cheer and comfort. Some people there have memory issues and forget that they know Red, but more and more, they are recognizing him.
Red has a special relationship with many of the residents, especially Connie. When he comes into the beautiful Mansion building, he heads around the corner, checks in with the office staff for some hugs, then out the door makes two left turns and goes down a long hallway and right into Connie’s room.
They are hugging and talking when I catch up. Connie’s dresser has 40 letters on it that came this week, and she reads them over and over. She lights up when she looks at her lawn baskets, “please, please, thank these people for me.” Perhaps I’ll do a video of Connie tomorrow and she can tell you herself.
They all hope some of the letters will keep coming, they mean so much. Today I visited with Connie, Madeleine, Peggy, Bill, Mary and Barbara. Julie Smith was there, she is the very energetic director of activities.
At the Mansion, I asked people how they were spending the holiday, and they asked me in return.
Some are spending the day with family, many will be at the Mansion. They will gather at the tree, have a special cookie celebration, open gifts and sing together. I hope to drop by with Red.
They feel a bit like family to me now, they know me and they adore Red. You have brought light and connection to their holiday, the true spirit of Christmas.
They ask after Maria and the animals. I can’t thank you enough for the light and joy you have brought to this special place with your gifts, thoughtfulness, love and generosity. You are an Army of Good.
If anyone cares to write to the people at the Mansion Assisted Care Facility, you can do so by sending your cards and messages and gifts to The Mansion, 11 S. Union St., Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I like the video idea.