Maria and I talk a lot about how to talk to the elderly and listen to them, we have talked a lot about the pieces I’ve written about that.

Alice is a lovely person, she is struggling with memory and words at the moment. She is very fond of Maria and whenever I see her, she asks me where “my wife” is, I understand she can’t recall her name.

Tonight at Bingo, Maria sat next to Alice and helped her with her numbers.

She intuitively knows how to talk to Alice. I brought Alice a picture book, as I often do, and Maria opened the book with her and pointed to the images and Alice named some of them, remembered others, and got stuck on some.

Alice loves to stroke and pet Red, but she is happiest when she can talk to Maria.

Maria talks directly to Alice, she is never patronizing or impatient, she never gives  up on the idea that Alice is listening to every word she says.

And Alice does listen to her, even when she can’t always find the words.  I try to do  with Alice, but I think she sees Maria as a  kind of daughter and is very much at ease with her.

Maria plans to come and sit with Alice from time to time and talk with her. It is so important to talk to the residents, and to listen to them. To show up, again and a gain. They love what is known to them, they so appreciate people caring.

There is always a way to break through and communicate. The residents know who wants to hear from them and who is just pretending.

It is most important to show up. Even if my name is not known, my face is familiar, and that is where trust is born. When the residents needs something they can’t get for themselves, they come to me, and that means a lot to me.

And to Maria as well. Tonight, Alice forget her walker, and so Maria walked her back to her room. Alice was very happy to walk with her, the sight of the two of them talking and smiling was a very beautiful thing to see.

The Mansion residents love to get mail. I can’t promise they will write back, and I can’t keep track of your letters or their responses.

This is a gift without strings. Many of the residents can read or be read to, but they can’t always write or mail letters.

Today, I brought Wayne his black sweatpants for his Commitment Ceremony. I brought Peggie two new Hidden Object computer games. I brought wooden colored pencils for Tim. A new wristwatch is coming for Ruth. Wayne wants some large print sports books.

Here is an updated list of the residents who want to receive  your letters. The address is The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Winnie, Ellen,Matt, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Alice, Jean, Madeline, Helen, Barbara, Peggie, Dottie, Art, Tim, Wayne, Kathryn, Ruth.

And thanks.