Today was a remarkable day for me.

Two Wish Lists that I helped to create were sold out in a very short  time, they each provided great benefit to  a lot of people in need. The Bishop Maggin High School Wish List gave the refugee art class the tools they desperately want and need, the Mansion Wish List gave the residents the things they need to fill up their beautiful garden.

This was a great moment for me, a moment of faith. I think the Army Of Good has become one of the high points of my creative life. I think it is the most creative thing I have ever been associated with, including my books.

I don’t even know how it happened.

This is the point, this is where my life has led me, for all of its ups and downs. It is a miraculous thing for me to find this time and place in a turbulent and confusing life. I suppose some people would call it God, I would call it faith.

I realized that I am where I need to be, doing what I need to be doing, with the people I need to be doing it. I already knew that I was living with the person I needed to be living with and loving.

I thought of all those people out there, most of whom I have never met or spoken with, who trust me and support this work and thank me for letting them help. I can’t quite get over it. I don’t feel deserving of it.  I am immensely grateful for it. It is almost impossible for me to explain.

I’ve been working at the Mansion for several years now, and my work there deepens and enriches me. It brings me an almost indescribable joy.

Today, I got three office chairs for the aides who sit in them for much of the day, their backs are sore, their chairs were old. I got a carnival popcorn machine for the residents, they love plain popcorn and can now eat it when they wish. It will be a festive thing.

I got Ellen a furry kitten and am buying Wayne a new wristwatch. I got Tim some carbon tracing paper so he can draw on wood. I’m looking for an out door metal table for the porch.

In a place like the Mansion, the staff needs special attention and care too.

In the Bishop Maginn High School, I found what I’ve been looking for now for several years and despaired of finding – people of faith doing good, people who are honest and open and trusting. I am where I belong, I can feel it. They understand the way I do things, and accept me. They are stunned by the Army Of Good, an affirmation of faith and goodness that many people think no longer exists in America.

It does.

This afternoon, Principal Mike Tolan of the Bishop Maggin High School wrote to thank me for the piles of boxes that came pouring into the school today and to tell me he got right back to work and put up another Bishop Maginn Wish List, going somewhat beyond art and into crafts and school supplies the school needs so badly.

I told him I will wait a day or two to actively promote it – let all the art supplies arrive, but I will be to the Wish List tonight to make the first purchase, as is my custom. I bought four things for $43.

Take a breath and check it out when you are ready.

I’m going to the school Wednesday to meet with Mike and the teachers, to hear the prospective choir members sing, and to talk about getting two poor twins from Pakistan some tuition helps so they can stay in Bishop Maginn, which they desperately want to do.

A member of the Army of Good has already pledged $5,000 to help us do that, and I didn’t even get to ask. I will raise the other $2,000 over time. These two boys, twin brothers – their father is gone –  will be safe and secure at Bishop Maginn, they have experienced enough loss and terror.

We will also talk about the details and needs of the new choir. It won’t cost much, but it will change lives. I have this dream of watching them perform on some big stage in Albany. I think it may happen.

Thanks so much for sharing this journey with me, you have made it possible for so many people to be helped in so many different ways,  including me. I have found my place.

I hope the Army Of Good is one of yours.