I’ve been away from the Mansion for a few days, recovering from a brutish head cold and cough. The residents noticed my absence, and there was a line of people waiting to see me and talked to me. I felt needed and loved, and I felt much love in return, and perhaps need also.

Sylvie came out of her room to see me and pose for a portrait. She loves to have her portrait taken, and she told me of the loves in her life that she lost because of mental illness. Sylvia can tell the most powerful stories without blinking an eye.

Joan was waiting for me at the doorway to take her and help her find her room. Apparently she waited for me sometimes at the door when I was gone, even though she does not know my name or Red’s.

She always asks me, “can you help me find where I live?” She takes my arm and we walk down the stairs and I take  her to her room, it says “Joan” on the front, and she hugs me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. She is sweet and mystical, and sometimes the most wonderful stories come out of her, when she is clear.

I sat with Rob and felt sad about the pain he was in. He is not able to eat much and his medications are taking their toll on  him, so is his illness.

I sat down on the sofa with Bill, an 84-year-old man who had a severe stroke a year ago and who wants to reconnect with the gay world he once was a part of. He told me he had been asleep for two days, and he vaguely remembered someone reading a book to him.

He couldn’t remember what it was. He is settling into the Mansion, I can tell, he is so much more comfortable there than he was when I met him a couple of months ago. I will get him some more books.

Jean sat with me and Red for nearly a half hour, it was sweet and poignant, she told me stories about her family and her late husband.

I stopped in Connie’s room, it is empty, Red went to sniff the yard in her big baskets, al gifts of the Army Of Good.

Art showed me his biblical quotes, plastered all over his new shirts. He is starting a new business, he says, spreading the literal word of God. He’s already sold a few shirts.

I met with the staff and we talked as freely as we could about how the residents are doing. The aides are very discreet and will not discuss medical information with anyone, and I don’t ask. I know what I see. Once a week, I fund pizza night for the overnight staff, they deserve every slice.

One of the residents urged me to stop and talked to her, and she told me she was lonely and had no friends at the Mansion she knew it was probably her fault, she was standoffish and depressed. She wanted to know if I could help.

I said I was sorry to hear this, but I couldn’t help, she should tell a member of the staff about it. I said I don’t give that kind of advice at the Mansion or anywhere else. I am just there to fill the holes in people’s lives that I can see and reach.

I loved today at the Mansion, I loved the feeling of belonging and feeling needed. Thanks for your support of this work, we are doing good every day.