When I was a reporter covering the police, I often met people – firemen, some police officers, emergency room nurses, paramedics, good samaritans on the streets – who were instinctively drawn to work helping people who need help.

They always seemed to appear when there was trouble, and they always helped people nobody else wanted to help, and did work nobody else wanted to.

These were special people, they rushed to save lives and help people in trouble when sane and sensible people ran the other way.

I always called them Better Angels.

I’ve been working at the Mansion for more than two years now, and from the first day, I saw Better Angels again, they were the Mansion aides, helping the residents get dressed and undressed, changing them when they were dirty or had  accidents, comforting them when they are lonely or frightened, making sure they take their medications, resolving squabbles and misunderstandings, being shouted at or called names by people who could no longer help themselves, fighting to get them the things they need.

I saw how they fall in love with the residents, hug them when no one else is around,  console them, cheer them up, pray and root for them when they got sick, weep when they die, and cheer when they returned from the hospital or rehab home.

They ride up and down with the residents, as they endure their  crises, troubles and triumphs.

So this holiday season, I wished to honor them by taking their photos, by giving each one a $50 Amazon Gift Card (thank you, Army Of Good), by giving each one their own engraved “Better Angels” pen, and by celebrating and praising them  in my writing.

They offer the love no one else wants to offer, they do the work no one else want to do. They take care of our mothers and sometimes our fathers and they do it with great love and compassion.

The Mansion is a Medicaid facility, many of the residents have few resources. I could not count the times the aides have gone out on their own to buy the residents something that they need and can’t get for themselves. I think the Army Of Good has eased that practice, but I know it still happens. I hope the $50 helps them  enjoy the holidays a bit more.

I wish I had more to give.

So mostly I just want to give them some recognition this month as best I can. I have raised some money so the residents can buy them their own personal gifts.

They deserve so much more than they get, and they make their world a good and loving place. Happy Mansion Aides month.The photo above is of Megan, she works the afternoon/night shift. She never loses that smile.