I have the greatest admiration for Madeline, she is well into her 90’s, and struggling with a number of physical issues, she always shows up for my story readings, asks thoughtful and intelligent questions, and observations.
She loves it when I read poetry, so I read a lot of Shel Silverstein poems today. She thinks he is very strange and very clever.
Madeline is determined to be relevant and engaged.
She listens carefully and shares the remarkable journey that her life is: the murder of her father by her brother when she was eight, and her life in Bronx Orphanages until she was 17.
She acted and sang in the theater for much of her life. When I walked into the Activity Room with the very beautiful lap robe that Patricia Benard of the Army Of Good made for the residents, Madeline lit up: “Oh, that is so beautiful, I would love a lap blanket like that.”
At first, Madeline couldn’t comprehend that I was offering it to her for free, she was shocked that such a beautiful thing would just walk in the door that way. She is often cold in the winter, she said, she would be grateful to have a lap blanket like that.
I persuaded her that it was hers, and that is was free, and she insisted that I thank Patricia for her. It was a pleasure to give this to her, yet another small act of great kindness from the Army Of Good.
She clutches it in her lap all during my readings.
I decided to give out these beautiful lap robes and warm bathrobes one and a time, and more privately.
I think some of the residents might be skittish about taking “charity” in public. They are very grateful for these gifts in private. Warmth is a very important thing for the elderly, and I am continuing on our winter clothing campaign.
It is so important that the residents keep their pride and dignity, they are, to a one, lifelong hard workers who are not used to asking for help or needing any.
By the end of the week I’ll have handed out the bathrobes and lap robes that I have, I think that will cover everyone. Annette cried when I gave her this warm blue bathrobe from Caroll’s Trading Post. It cost $14.
Annette in her new robe.
I know she didn’t have a bathrobe and was very cold at night after her shower. “God made this a wonderful day for me,” she said, “I can’t thank you enough.” She put the robe on immediately and said she might wear it all day.
It fit her perfectly, and she said it was one of the classiest clothes she ever wore.
How lucky I am to be able to do this, how grateful I am for your support.
I’m continuing this clothing drive – blouses, warm shoes, perhaps blankets – and am seeking some support, you can contribute via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I think I’ll need about $300 more.