When Madeline was about eleven years old she lived in an orphanage in the Bronx Borough of New York City with thirty other children. The kids were four to eighteen years old and at the other end of her building were sixty senior citizens.

“One of the things I remember is that some of them would come to entertain us. One group was four men who spoke German and had white whiskered bears and handlebar moustaches. They sang as a quartet in German. Their serious faces and hand gestures were what was so funny as they sang.

Their curled pressed lips and dramatic delivery was enough to make anyone cry. During the performance of all of the kids we would stay cool, calm and collected.

But afterwards we would return to our dormitories and would act out their singing and imitate them in the washroom. We would say to each other “you sing Base Dis Time, I Sang Base Last Time.” Some of us were very good at the acting, and what fun we had. We would laugh so hard that sometimes I wet my pants.”

The story readings were special, so was the July Fourth Celebration. Everyone had something made for them or addressed to them and an angel from the Army Of Good bought $200 worth of cookies that were much enjoyed. Others sent flowers and Fourth of July gift bags.

I was conscious as I watched the residents listen carefully to one another’s stories that our elected officials are debating cutting back the Medicaid payments that pay for their care at the Mansion. I hope this never happens to them.

Thanks for supporting the Mansion stories, I will get to work getting these stories published. Thanks to the Army Of Good for another great victory. It is better to do good than argue about what is good.