I brought a box of Round House Cafe cookies over to the Mansion this morning – the aides love cookies, and Lisa Carrino, who made the cookies, put a “Thank You” on them, which I thought was both thoughtful and beautiful. Thanks Lisa, that was the perfect message.

Lisa, the co-owner of the Cafe, always asks people who the cookies she bakes are for, so she can make them thoughtfully and individually. Lisa is an artist, she studied at the Rhode Island School Of Design.

I can’t tell you – some of you many know –  how much of a lift a simple thing like cookies can be.

Working at the Mansion is hard work requiring patience, dedication and a particular kind of commitment. Once a week I sponsor a pizza lunch or dinner for the different shifts.

That is a small thing, but that makes a difference too.

More and more I think of the aides in my work, and the need to appreciate and support them. They do amazing work every day for little money and under sometimes very difficult conditions.

They are always there, always patient, always helpful.

I thank them, and I was inspired to also thank the Army Of Good for the support you have given me and the Eh K Pru and the Sakler Moo and the Mansion residents and Bishop Maginn school and choir.

And thanks for also supporting a gifted young artist, Paw Lway Shee of Bishop Maginn, she sold her third painting today, for $50.

We are learning how to do it, small acts of great kindness, for me, this is a faith and loving obligation. I can’t imagine life without it.

I wish I could send all of you a box of these beautiful cookies, but I do thank you from the bottom of my heart.You have touched more people in more ways than you can know.

(P.S. The new Bishop Maginn Choir has 14 out of the 15 music stands they need for their choir. Only one left, $35. The Mansion needs to replenish some of its art supplies, thanks to you, their arts program is booming. They have a modest new wish list.