I told Art he is the most outspoken and controversial person I have worked with in my therapy work, and in the Mansion. This pleases him, he believes it is God’s will that he challenges the lax and the unbelieving and the failed and seeks to save them.

I fear I am lost and told him so. A number of people have sent some donations to help Art. So far, we’ve gotten him a large reclining chair for his back, an air conditioner for his room, a CD player for his Bible, and some audio books on faith.

When I saw Art the other day – he had some strong stories to tell me about damnation and  doom, I asked  him if there was anything I could do for him, anything he needed. He smiles, and said, “why no, sir, just yourself, coming to see me and talk to me.”

This humbled me, and brought me up short. I know I sometimes put Red and material things between me and these people, and Art was reminding me that it is, in fact, sometimes just about me, and what I can offer and give. Just by myself. It is good to be reminded of that, I don’t usually think  that is true.

Art has been very good for me, and also, I think, for others. He reminds me why I am there, and why I am not. And despite the vast differences between us, we are brothers, he says it and I know it. Life is curious.

I just got a beautiful card in the mail about Art, it was from Patrician Wright who lives in North Carolina. I get a lot of cards in the mail, and I love them, and the thought that goes into them, they are so much richer and more powerful than e-mail.

The cover said “Too much of a GOOD THING is just right.” Inside was a check to help Art – some people are not comfortable sending donations to him, which I do understand.

Inside, written in ink, was a quote from Ram Dass, it said “We’re all just walking each other Home.”  And then a note from Patricia, it said: “For Art, may he be blessed with grace and peace beyond understanding.” – Patricia.

I don’t know about Art, but I see that Patricia is already blessed and grace and peace beyond understanding. I am proud to know her, and get a message like from here, I’d like to drink it in or breathe it in and keep in inside of me.

Monday, I will take this to Art and read it to him. I expect he will want to put it on the stand next to his bed, where he keeps letters from people who write him. Art seeks letters from people of faith and seekers, you can write him c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Art told me this week that he would never give up on saving me, and I told him I would never give up on  being his friend.  We’re just walking each other home, I said. I will remember that line for a long time.

Art laughed again, and said, “well, we’ll see who survives the other.” Amen to that.