Christy’s Internet went down at the Indian River Rehabilitation Center yesterday, I got a message from her this morning. Your letters are having an enormous impact on her morale and determination, I want to share her message with you.

It is powerful and  revealing to look into the struggles of a person caught between old age, illness, and two choices for her life – a nursing home or an assisted care facility – the Mansion. Christy has chosen to fight hard to get back to the Mansion. Your letters are helping her greatly.

She  has some serious medical issues, and a hard struggle ahead of her. She was feeling alone and abandoned.

“I had a very rough night and day. I was feeling so depressed and just did not want to talk or be bothered. Then the mail came. I got about 20 cards and letters. I read each one and i could not stop crying because so many strangers thought of me and sent me such beautiful cards and encouragement. One lady, bless her heart, sent me writing supplies and stamps. The kindness that strangers show to me is just amazing. I always stayed in the background, in my life. I never liked getting attention. It embarrassed me. Today, I felt such warmth and happiness. The cards and letters were all about staying strong and telling me I can do anything.

I wish I could thank each and every one of you. I felt I could make it after reading these letters, I went down to the Rehab Room where I was supposed to be. I know that tomorrow I will think about all my mail as I do whatever PT wants me to do. Hug Red.”

I told Christy I would thank all of those who sent letters and hug Red as well. He and I will go see her as soon as the weather clears and she seems to be on solid ground. It is not simple or easy to grow old in America, and I think Christy lost faith in herself somewhere along that difficult way.

I think she is finding her strength again, every day is hard. The doctors say if she wants to, she will be able to return to the Mansion. Thanks so much for contacting her, you can’t imagine the effect your letters and cards have on Christy and also on the Mansion residents.

If you wish, you can write Christy, the address is: Christy L., c/o The Indian River Rehabilitation Center, 17 Madison St., Granville, N.Y., 12832.

You can write the Mansion residents c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union St., Cambridge, N.Y. 12816. And thanks. We’ll see what love can do.