Christie wrote me this afternoon from the Indian River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center this afternoon, she said she just got back from physical therapy (PT).

“I had a very bad night, I have to say the night crew tried everything they could think of to help me. I was having back spasms one after the other. I was feeling down.

And then the mail came.”

Christie said she got more than a dozen cards and letters.

“I wish I could answer them but I don’t have any writing paper or such. I did have a pretty good day. I slept for two hours after breakfast and then I worked PT all day. I am exhausted, so I am going to put my feet up and rest.”

Thanks for writing Christie, as you can see, these messages are important at a critical time for her. She needs to be mobile and healthier in order to get back to the Mansion rather than a nursing home. She is working very hard to get  home, which is what she considers the Mansion.

If you wish, you can write Christie at this address: Christie L., c/o The Indian River Rehabilitation Center and Nursing home, Granville, N.Y., 12832.

She and I have been having a dialogue these past couple of weeks, she symbolizes the struggle of the elderly to keep control of their lives in the face of health challenges and their own attitudes towards life. I hope to see Christie before the end of the week, i do not care to forget her plight. Red means a lot to her, she and I have a connection and your letters are shoring her up.

People like Christie are the forgotten voices in the system, I don’t want her to be forgotten or feel forgotten. Thanks for your letters and messages, I know these are the first batch, I expect more are coming tomorrow and the rest of the week. The Address is Christie L., The Indian River Rehabilitation Center and Nursing home, 17 Madison Avenue, Granville, N.Y., 12832.