I went to the Mansion today to say goodbye with Bill, who I have gotten to know fairly well. He is leaving the Mansion for another facility. I will be able to visit him with Red, his new home is less than a half hour away. And I will visit him, we have a connection now and I don’t care to break it, Bill needs some additional care.

Bill, a former farmer and cook, lost his wife of 62 years last year, and his very beloved dog Duke when he came into assisted care. He was very touched by your letters and messages and has them in a pile near his bed. When I get his new address I will pass it along on the blog, for those who wish to continue corresponding with him.

We’ve spent a few hours talking, he has stories to tell. When Red came in, he lay down next to Bill, rather than sit up, as he usually does. Bill said that was just where Duke used to lie. I gave Bill one of my books, he apologized for not being able to read it yet.

Bill was surprised when I said I would see him again, “really, you’d have to come all that way.” It’s not that far, I said, Red and I have been there before. Well, he said, I’d appreciate that. We shook hands, he’s leaving early tomorrow morning.

If you work or volunteer in the homes and facilities for the aging, goodbyes are very common. People come and go, into hospitals, in need of different levels of care, according to the ever changing finances and regulations governing anything to do with health and insurance.

These are among the most vulnerable people in our world, and I hope and pray they will be cared for and supported in the future.