It seemed as if the Mansion and its staff and residents had won a big victory today when Connie returned.

Connie holds a special place at the Mansion, the staff has worked so hard to help her and they root for her so passionately and sincerely, along with the residents. She was in a lot of pain today, and her rehabilitation will be arduous and long.

When I went to see her with Red at Saratoga Hospital, I did not believe she would return. But she decided she would return, and so she did. At the Mansion, she is a source of strength and constancy, there was a lightness about the place today that was palpable. One after another, the residents came in, many of them on canes or walkers or wheelchairs.

They won this one. You can write Connie (she doesn’t need any more yarn or books) c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.