Several days before he left the Mansion to go to the hospital, I brought Herman a stuffed lamb, I don’t believe the sender told me who she was, it came to the farmhouse. If she did tell me her name, I lost it or forgot and I apologize. I get so many messages about the mansion.
She has not come forward since Herman died, and I would love to thank her, this meant to much to him. Please contact me if you wish.
Herman loved the lamb, he took it with him to the hospital. He kept it by his bedside. This photograph, taken by Mandi Mulready, who went to see Herman in the hospital, was the last photograph taken of him, it was shortly before he died.
Herman’s daughter Marlene came to the Mansion Thursday to collect his personal belongings, and she said the lamb was with Herman when he died, and with him when he was cremated. They left this world together.
Marlene is coming to our Bedlam Farm Open House (June 10-11) to see the farm. We will be looking for her. Thanks so much for giving him this comfort and love in his last hours.
I was eager to post this last picture of Herman so you could see what you have done once more. Who would have thought a small stuffed animal would mean to much to a person at the edge of love. Herman was much loved, in his brief time at the Mansion, several staffers told me he changed their lives.
(Here is the most recent list of Mansion residents who wish to receive your messages; the address is The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
The residents, by their first names, are: Bruce W, Allan H., Sylvie B., Jean G., John Z., Alanna M., Peggie O., Ellen B., Joan H., Brenda S., Connie m., Alice G., Madeline G., Marcus B., Barbara N., William H., Brother Peter, Diane D., Helen L., Jean A., Tim R., Gerry B., Dennis R., Anita H., Richard H.
Please remember that the list of residents changes constantly for various reasons, and your personalized messages might not get to the person you wrote to. General messages are distributed evenly to the residents as well, they love to receive them.)