At the Mansion today, Connie said she would like to say thank you and wish you all a Merry Christmas, she says it is a gift to be reminded how many good people there are. The video speaks for itself. I took several today at the Mansion, and I will post them over the holidays.
Connie has three big baskets of yarn to work with, she is cranking out mittens, and soon, scarves. She and Red are very good pals.
The Mansion staff also gave me permission to list the first names of Mansion residents, for those who want to write them or send them cards. In in the interests of helping the residents, there are some boundaries we should talk about. Most of the residents are very open to messages from outside, some wish to remain private. People thinking of visiting would do best to contact the Mansion first, to make sure the residents are well and the schedule is open.
A number of you have been asking me for birth dates and other information, I am not comfortable providing that or asking for it. I think we do need to be mindful or privacy, and the Mansion cannot release medical or personal information. Please be mindful that some of the residents are ill and wish to keep to themselves.
It is difficult to say what gifts are needed, the residents are well cared for and have what they need. Gifts are personal, and vary from individual to individual. In the winter, scarves and quilts and caftans are very welcome, the homemade bears were a big hit, but I hear more than anything about pictures, letters stories and cards.
Books and puzzles are much appreciated.
Beyond that, your involvement is most welcome and people should feel free to communicate with any of the names I am listing here. The best approach is to send messages and cards in a continuum over time, the messages and cards and letters seem to mean the most to people, although they love the pictures and cakes that have arrived. I think, from my observations, that messages, letters and cards mean the most and touch them the most deeply.
From my observation, what lifts them up the most is the idea that people care about them and know how alive they are and in need of human contact. I have vowed to myself to keep visiting, it feels like an extension of my home at the Mansion, a part of my family. The people who own and run it are good and very conscientious and loving people, the staff is amazing. I know they don’t make much money, but if you paid on the basis of big hearts, they would all be very rich.
There is a feeling in institutions of being cut off from the world and forgotten, and the messages remind them that they are not forgotten, and they love the pictures and good words and stories you are telling them.
On Christmas day, many of the residents will be off with their families, Maria and Red and I are planning to stop by in the morning. Thanks to you good people, the tree will be stuffed with presents for everyone.
Here is the list of first names of Mansion residents, they can all be written at this address: The Mansion, 11 S. Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Red and I have met most, if not all of these people, some do not wish to see a dog, or to see me.
The first names of residents wishing to have messages are Jean, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Diane, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Joan, Allan, Carl, John, Aileen, Christie, Helen, Constance, Alanna, Barbara, Peggie, William, Dennis, John R., Bruce, and John Z.