Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

When I met with my meditation class at the mansion today, I had an emotional visit. I read from St. Terese’s writings—she was my inspiration for the Army Of Good—and I’ve never seen the residents more affected. Sharon, a poet, and a good friend, told me she had to leave the Mansion because her health needed more advanced care than permitted.

She asked me for a last favor, a small vase with violets.

(I bring flowers with me now each week; above is a photo of Ellen from Memory Care, waiting for the class. She has the most beautiful smile.)

I went to see Sue Lamberti at the Cambridge Flower Shop and bought some violets in a small vase.

My reading from St. Therese of the Child Jesus: “But how shall I show my love, since love proves itself by deeds? Well, the little child will strew flowers before These – that is to say, I will let no tiny sacrifice pass, no look, no word. I wish to suffer for Love’s sake and even to rejoice; thus shall I strew flowers. Now one shall I find without scattering to petals before Thee – and I will sing – I will always sing even if my roses must be gathered from amidst thorns, and the longer and sharper the thorns, the sweeter shall be my song.”

St. Terese was 22 when she died.

I’ve been reading to the residents in my class for several years or more, and I’ve never seen them so quiet, affected, or attentive to any reading. We all felt the emotion in the room, and yes, I did think of my flowers and the meaning they have for people.

The artist Jane, listening to my reading. Jane has a powerful spiritual aura about her; she always sits next to me; she paints every morning, and so much of her work is beautiful and different. We provide her art supplies.

When people need complex medical attention, they must leave a Medicaid-assisted care facility for a Nursing  Home, which is equipped with medical nurses, doctors, and long-term and advanced care. It’s difficult for them to move yet again, almost cetainly for the last time. Sharon is a published poet, and we have become good friends. She is a faithful attendee of my class.

I bring her books whenever I can. I’ve never heard Sharon complain or feel sorry for herself. She is quite brave.

I asked her if she needed anything, and she said yes, she would love a small vase with violets. I went right to Cambridge Flower Shop, Sue had African Violets and got me a vase with some, and I went back to Sharon to give her the flowers.

She loved the Mansion and was – is – comfortable there.

She is leaving as soon as another facility accepts here, her medical issues are complicated. I will miss her, a quiet and sensitive person who wrote a number of poems for me. Perhaps she will find a place to go not too far away.

On the way out, Susan, a member of my Medication Class and a great fan of Zinnia, met her in the hall. Zinnia, who knows her well, flopped over for a belly rub, a sweet moment for both. The Mansion asked for four bird feeders and some stands; they are on the way.

You can support my Mansion work via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, Jon Katz-Jon-Katz-13, or by check, Jon Katz, the Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks, the fund is pretty low.

It was a beautiful visit but also a painful one. At the Mansion, sickness and death are a part of life. I’m used to it and accept it, but sometimes it hurts.