At the Mansion, Spring and gratitude. The warmer weather is felt there, older bodies sensitive to the warmth and the heat, it seems things are quieter, life has slowed down a bit. There is enormous gratitude here for what you, the Army of Good, has done.

Your generosity, letters, gifts and support have somewhat transformed the place. They are painting on drawing on the pads and with the brushes and colors you sent them, your letters are stacked by their bedside, they listen to the boombox you sent them, they knit and sew with the yarn you gave them, they work the puzzles that came in the mail and trace on the tracing paper they received.

The stuffed animals that arrived in packages are on beds and bedstands, so are the statues and carvings and skeins of yarn.

On Friday, they will all gather to open letters and envelopes and await the gifts in the special bags given them, full of things to touch, open and see. They pass by the flowers that have arrived, eat the cookies and chocolate that came in, the stop by the bulletin boards to read your messages and look at your photographs.

I hope you know what you have done, I hope I have found the words to tell you how much appreciated you are. Friday, another party, an Easter celebration and because of you, it will be exciting and festive. They do not feel invisible and unknown and forgotten now, and that is your greatest gift to them.

You are the true heart and soul of America, generous and welcoming. If you  care to write the residents, here is an updated list of names of residents who wish to receive letters from the outside world. A few would rather not: Jane, Charlotte, Bruce, Allan, Sylvie, Jean G., John Z., John B., Alanna, Peggie, Ellen, Joan, Brenda, Connie, Alice, Madeline, Mary, Barbara, William, Brother Peter, Diane, Helen, Jean A, Tim R., Gerry,  Dennis, Anita, Richard.

just look at what you have done. People are good, given the chance, that is the big story, the true story, the real news.