Sue Silverstein, the art teacher at Bishop Maginn High School, hadn’t painted for years until she met Red, and somehow, he opened her up. I’ve seen it before. She painted this portrait of him, and had it framed.

The staff at the Mansion saw it on my blog and asked if it could hang in the Mansion hallway, they know Red is sick and he hasn’t been coming there lately.

I knew I had to bring him there for this, and I picked him up and carried him into the car, he isn’t able to jump up on the seat any longer and he can’t see the ramp we got for him.

Red was game, once he got his feet on the floor of the car, he pulled himself up, but I don’t think it’s something I should be doing regularly.

This could be the end of his time at the Mansion. Kassi, the Mansion Director, and someone who sets the tone for love and connection there, helped choose the spot where Red’s photo is hanging.

It was an emotional trip for me, and perhaps for him. I didn’t really know how to talk about it, and I surely didn’t want to show it. But I felt it in my heart.

I might be able to get Red to the Mansion a few more times, but it felt much like a farewell to me. Like one more time. The Mansion has been such an important part of Red’s life, and such an important part of his life with me.

Thanks Sue Silverstein. I think this is the right place for your painting of Red. They said I could borrow it if I needed to.