I suppose in a sense, the Mansion residents have become my family. Maria wanted to see Connie and I wanted to check up on some of the residents, so we went to the Mansion to say goodbye. I didn’t expect it to be emotional, but it was.

They were sad to see us go, and we were sad to go, there is so much feeling there. Before my work with Red in dementia, hospice and assisted care,  I saw the elderly as one blur, I tended to avoid them, and to avoid thinking about them and their lives.

They seemed  remote to me, in places I didn’t want to go to, and didn’t want to know much about, like most of the country. Younger people are almost allergic to older people, they are all reminders or our fate and destiny.

Working with them regularly, getting to know them as human beings, not images or symbols, I see it very differently. I love to photograph them, their faces have such extraordinary character.

On our way out, DorLisa demanded that we  have fun, and that I spoil Maria at every turn. I promised. She told us to be safe, and she hugged us both, as almost everyone did today.

I left feeling a bit torn, as if I were abandoning some vulnerable people. But I drew back from that thinking, it is neither healthy nor appropriate. The residents are in very good and loving hands, their welfare is not dependent on me.

Boundaries are essential in this work, and a vacation will make me stronger and more open and available. It was just more of an emotional pull than I expected. I will make sure to bring everybody some token or trinket from New Mexico.

When I come back I will have a lot of work to do, not only at the Mansion, but at RISSE in Albany, their school, adult and child, is back in session, and there will be good things for the Army of Good to do. Devota is doing well, paying off her loans, and Mawulidi will be out of the hospital soon (he had some minor surgery) and back to his carving.

Life goes on. And on.