it was a curious thing, at first. Klue, a 13-year-old refugee from Thailand, sat down next to Joan at lunch at the Mansion. It was difficult to see anything these two had in common with one another. And Joan has a number of severe memory issues that sometimes make easy conversation challenging.

I was struck by how Klue handled this. I saw him smiling at Joan, talking to her, listening to her, even when she wasn’t being precise and clear about what she was saying.

Klue smiled, nodded, asked a few questions. He never looked ill at ease, uncomfortable or disinterested. Joan thanked me for inviting him, she said the conversation was wonderful and she was so grateful for it.

Klue is wise beyond his years, and has a great heart. I had the sense this was a good thing for both of them.