Art is what you might call a divisive figure, or could be. He is my friend, and under the guise of watching out for me, he often dangles controversial and difficult ideas in front of me. Am I upset as a Jew that Muslims were portrayed in the town Christmas play?  Am I spending too much money to pay a farmer $300 to ride the residents around town in his sleigh?

Am I being too nice to one of the residents who yells at the staff and doesn’t obey all of the Mansion rules? Do I know there are lesbians and homosexuals working in for the Mansion? Are people taking advantage of me?

He says he is acting on behalf of God.

My response to all of these questions is the same. I just don’t engage. I’m not interested in that, I say, Muslims do not frighten me or disturb me. I have many gay friends, they do not trouble me. The farmer has the right safety equipment to drive the residents around, his price is quite reasonable for what he is doing.

I miss you, he says. I come when I can, I respond.

I’m here to support you, Art, I tell him, not to join in your crusades.

I ask  him how he is doing and what is it he needs. Art needs controversy, he is averse to acceptance in some ways. A fascinating friendship for me.

Then I get up and leave and go see someone else. Sometimes Art bothers me, sometimes he is sweet and thoughtful. I have learned much from years of volunteer work and also watching professionals like the Mansion staff.

You leave yourself at the door. You are there to listen. You are there to help. I told Art once more today that he is doing God’s work, he is teaching me to be what I believe is a good Christian, learning tolerance, empathy and compassion.

He is also teaching me what it means to be a professional volunteer, something I started learning a decade ago, when I first began my hospice work with Izzy.

That is the point. And I love taking his portrait. You take a lot of photos, he says. Yes, I do, I said.