29 August

Oh-Oh, Robin’s Been Watching Her Mother. Time For An Agent.

by Jon Katz

It seems that my granddaughter Robin has been watching her mother and father, she is drawn to Emma’s laptop and seems to have begun work on her first book, a thoughtful critique of parenting. Okay, so she types and writes, I’m not bragging. Come and see a landmark and perhaps terrifying moment in the life of a one-year old child, “she really has been paying attention,” says Emma, my daughter.

Yes, she has. I can recommend a very good agent. Come and see. This is one of those moments.

29 August

Welcome Home, Connie. You Made It.

by Jon Katz
Welcome Back, Connie, You Did It

Welcome back, Connie, you beat long odds to prove that the human spirit is tough and enduring. The Army Of Good is happy to see you return, and proud of your strength and purpose. So many people in so many places did so much to help you and support you. We love you, Connie, and your grumpy exterior fools no one.

Connie asked me to thank you all again, she  says your support and love are something that is hard for her to understand or believe. But she is grateful for it. She is eager to return to her life, and learn how to walk on her own again. it is touching to see how much the staff and the other residents love her and are happy to see her home.

29 August

Hallway Re-Union: Connie and Maria and Red: First Sighting

by Jon Katz
Hallway Re-Union

We intercepted Connie just as she was arriving at the Mansion, she and Maria gave each other a huge hug, it probably hurt Connie a bit to do it. These two have connected with one another, they talk like old schoolgirl friends and plot various art projects together. It looks likely that some of these collaborations will occur.

Connie has some mending to do and some therapy to do. She seems determined to do it, Maria was very happy to see her.

29 August

Connie And Peggie: Re-Union

by Jon Katz
Re-Union

It seemed as if the Mansion and its staff and residents had won a big victory today when Connie returned.

Connie holds a special place at the Mansion, the staff has worked so hard to help her and they root for her so passionately and sincerely, along with the residents. She was in a lot of pain today, and her rehabilitation will be arduous and long.

When I went to see her with Red at Saratoga Hospital, I did not believe she would return. But she decided she would return, and so she did. At the Mansion, she is a source of strength and constancy, there was a lightness about the place today that was palpable. One after another, the residents came in, many of them on canes or walkers or wheelchairs.

They won this one. You can write Connie (she doesn’t need any more yarn or books) c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

29 August

Re-Union Of Friends: Connie And Red:The Angels Gave Us This One.

by Jon Katz
Re-Union, Connie And Red

Red is very important to Connie, he seems to open something up in her, something that gives her strength. He helped get her up and walking when her back first gave out. She is important to him. Every time we came to the Mansion while she was away, he went right to her room, and if the door was open, he sat by her chair, as he often does.

They were just so happy to see each other. The residents were happy to see  her too, as was the staff. Of all the comings and goings at the Mansion, trips to hospitals and nursing  homes and rehab centers are the most fraught. People often don’t return from nursing homes, and the residents were concerned about Connie.

But she fought her way back and proved that courage and determination can upend the probabilities and defy the odds. The Mansion was a happy, even celebratory place this afternoon. Everyone took a deep breathe, the angels let us win this one.  She is almost a part of our family now, and we missed her. We are happy she is back. Thanks for all the great things you sent her, they mattered.

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