A month ago, Charlie was so depressed the aides were worried about him.

A long-time gymnastics coach and passionate fly fisherman, Charlie was feeling the isolation of a year-long quarantine. He really missed fishing.

One of the aides – Sheila – took him fishing one afternoon to cheer him up. She asked me to help get him some equipment he needed and I decided to get him a fly fishing cap and a fly fishing vest.

I also got him a fly fishing kit,  two books on fly fishing and am arranging for the two of us to visit the National Fly Fishing Museum in Manchester, Vt. He wants me to go fishing with him.

Gulp. I’ve never been fly fishing and there is no chance at all of my catching a fish or casting properly. But I think I have to do it.

I like Charlie, and I brought him his hat and vest this morning, I’m told he has been wearing both all day and he is smiling and laughing and telling fish stories.

I could even see the smile from under his mask when he put his vest on.

This felt wonderful to do.  Putting a smile on someone’s face is the  ultimate small act of great kindness. Doing  good is so much better than arguing about what good is. Charlie has  a bunch of fishing rods and can be mailed at Charlie FishGod, the Mansion, 11 S. Union, Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

We may have found the key to keeping Charlie’s spirits up. I thank Sheila and Tania and the aides for letting me help. They are heroes.

Most of the pants I bought for several of the two male residents are too large, I am told. Have to go and get more.

Ruth’s sugar free bubble gum has come in, she will be pleased. This, believe it or not, was hard to find. And I need to get a belt for one of the new male residents.