It was something of a hellish month for the Mansion Assisted Care Facility, for the residents, the staff and the families. The plan is to bring the residents back on Monday, pending the approval of state officials.

I got a look at the work that has been done over the past four weeks, and I was surprised and impressed. The Mansion is looking younger and spiffier.

The living quarters are, for all practical purposes, new.

Many of the rooms have new walls and ceilings. There is a new elevator coming online, many of the walls and ceilings have been rebuilt, there are new carpets everywhere, and there is a new roof to keep out water and dampness.

Lots of the rooms have been painted, there are new ceiling tiles and new lights.

This Mansion is warmer, dryer, brighter.

Friday night, Bingo night for us, there were still workmen crawling all over the place laying carpet and painting the new wallboards. They do say everything happens for a reason, and perhaps the reason for this is to give the venerable building a bright new facelift.

The Mansion has asked staffers to come tomorrow – Saturday – to get the rooms in shape, if the state officials approval, vans will head out to bring the residents back home.

The staff has been hauling the puzzles and books (thanks Army Of Good) that have sustained the Mansion refugees,  back to the Mansion. Nothing is official until the state regulators say it is, but confidence is running hight about a Monday return.

On Tuesday, I’m heading over to a local Chinese restaurant to pay for food for a celebration to either take place Tuesday or Wednesday. The Army Of Good is funding Chinese takeout at the resident’s request. We’re still looking for a band.

It was great to see so much work being down on the Mansion. For all their troubles, this is a rebirth, not a death sentence. This is a major investment in special place that knows how to care for people. I’ll try to make myself useful tomorrow, if I don’t get tossed out.

Thanks for your help. It is better to do good than argue about it, this week saw a lot Practical Good, small acts of great kindness that made a difference to some frightened and confused people. Much love to you.