We meet every week at all a.m. Thursday, sometimes there are four people, sometimes five. Today, a new member of the meditation group, her name is Gloria and she has been at the Mansion for several months.

Zinnia is a cherished member of the meditation group. When we arrive, she visits everyone in the room, even rolling onto her back for a belly scratch from Ellen.

Then, when we meditate, she has been trained to crawl behind my seat and go to sleep. She does this regularly now. She has matured into a wonderful therapy dog, gentle, empathetic, and loving.

She seems to know who needs her the most. She brings real joy to the residents of the Mansion, and to the aides.

Ellen told me she has a new boyfriend at the Mansion, we talked about that and loneliness and companionship. She got onto the floor for the time in years to play with Zinnia and scratch her belly.

Tania Woodward, an aide who works closely with new residents, joined us. We listened to a guided meditation on a meditation app called Headspace. We usually start that way.

Today’s top was on “suffering” and how meditation can help ease pain and sorrow. Then, after the guided meditation, I lead a silent meditation.

I talk about breathing and the health benefits of meditation, and then we go into silence for anywhere from five to ten minutes, depending on what the residents want.

Sometimes, we talk about the pain and challenges of aging, sometimes we tell one another stories about what makes us sad or happy.

I have the sense that this is perhaps the most important thing I ever do at the Mansion.

(New member Gloria)

I was asked if I could come once or twice a week earlier after breakfast when the group also would like to meet in addition to Thursday. I will do that when I can, I can be in and out of there in five to ten minutes.

The aides and residents are tensing up over the Delta virus, they all fear going into isolation again and possibly cutting back on visits from people like me.

We talked about that and meditated on it. Everyone who comes gets to wear an Amish bracelet or necklace, which I provide. I call them meditation necklaces and everyone who comes wants one or wears one.

This group has grown in feeling, dimension, and depth. I can see it is important to those who come, as it has become important to me.

It is a great help to the residents to learn how to pause and settle and control the very strong feelings they have about where they are in life.

People on the edge of life have wisdom, humor, and perspective I have come to love.

What really matters, I have learned, is to show up.