Mother Teresa once said that not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love. I think many of you, who we now refer to as the Army Of Good, live this thought and carry it in your spirits and souls. This is so apt for me, because it is how I feel about the work we are doing.

I cannot do great things, that is beyond me, but I can do small things with great love and feeling.

I went to the Mansion this afternoon and found that most of the residents were sitting quietly out on the cool back porch, there was a lot of shade and a beautiful breeze. They were all eating the most delicious chocolate chip cookies, I asked who made them and was told “why, a member of your Army of Good comes by often and brings us cookies. Other people who read your blog send us cookies and cakes all of the time.”

Some of them we have to put in the freezer, the staff said, we get a steady stream.

Was this Lo Ann Sanders, I asked? Why yes, said Julie Smith, the Activities Director at the Mansion, she comes by often. I met Lo Ann Sanders once she came to one of our Open Houses, I do not know where she lives or how far she comes, I hope it isn’t too far. And many other people send things often, things that require great thought and care.

One of the residents was reading a book a historical romance. She said someone from the blog sent it to her. I looked up at the windows and saw these beautiful triangular pennants hanging from the windows into the sunlight, everyone loved them, they brightened up the rooms.

Julie told me that on July Fourth, they got so many decorations they put some of them away to save for later, and they bring them out from time to time in a steady stream, they give the Mansion a warn and celebratory feeling. It is hard sometimes to keep up with the Army Of Good, they are often way ahead of me.

One day I came in and everybody was wearing hand-made hats with colorful stripes and sayings. Another day there were laminated animal photos, ingenious gifts I never would have thought of. I explain to the residents that they have been adopted, even at their age, their are  loving and caring people out there who think about them. Many tell me it is a miracle for them.

I realize that there are so many gifts and beautiful things streaming into the Mansion that I don’t even know about many of them, let alone thank anybody for them. The Army of Good is an independent institution, people know what to do and how to do it. I do thank you, you are an army of angels sailing over time and space to touch the hearts and souls of the vulnerable.

Thanks for these small things, they are not great things, but they are given and felt with great love.