Everyone at the Mansion had Valentine’s Day Cards to read and open, and these messages are so loved and appreciated. More than anything, they help the residents feel known and connected. Here, Guerda, Sylvia and Brenda read their messages. Sylvie reads each letter carefully and works hard to answer each one, she says the letter writers are her cherished friends.

Sometimes she has trouble getting the addresses and zip codes right (might be good to send her a stamped, self-addressed envelope if possible), and I offered to help her write them.

She said she would consider that, but she considered every letter she get a prayer, and that’s how she would see the ones that never made it to the right address.

It was a great gift to send messages and cards to the Mansion residents, everywhere I looked people were reading them and sharing them. The room was full of connections and yes, love. Thanks.

You can write to the Mansion residents c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. The updated residents lists is as follows:

Winnie, Jean A., Ellen, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Diane, Alice, Jean G., Madeline, Joan, Allan, Bill, John K., Helen, Robert, Alanna, Barbara, Peggie, Dorothy, Tim, Debbie, Art, Guerda, Brenda, Wayne, Kenneth, Ruth. And thank you.

If you wish to donate to the Mansion Support Fund, you can do so by sending a donation to Jon Katz. P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, jon@bedlamfarm. If the money is meant for the Mansion, please mark that on the check so it will get to the special account right away. Thanks.