I have a habit of underestimating the power of good, even as I believe that my mission is to do some good every day of my life.
We’ve done a lot of good lately. An arts and crafts wish list for the Mansion, funding a trip of Mansion residents to the County Fair, thousands of dollars worth of books for Bishop Gibbons, a beautiful arts and crafts wish list for Sue Gilligan and her new School.
I don’t wish to take advantage of anyone.
Things are rocky out there, and I was surprised when the Mansion three up another Wish List this week without talking to me about it. I was annoyed. I like to wait a few months between lists; we are not a community of wealthy people.
I worried we were asking too much; I told them things are rough out there, and we must save our shots for the long haul. I said I couldn’t be comfortable supporting the Wish List right now, I had asked for so much, and the list was very inexpensive, but it did have more than 60 items on it.
I’m not the boss of the activity people, they can put up whatever list they want, but I was uncomfortable about pushing it.
The activity people at the Mansion – good and loving people – meant no harm.
They wanted the residents to be able to celebrate Halloween, next to Christmas, their favorite holiday and the first one they could commemorate since the outbreak of Covid. They also had entered a competition for best costume with their more affluent sister facility, the Cambridge Hotel.
They need costumes, Halloween art, and figures. I bought some with my money and said I would mention the new wish list and link it; I didn’t want to push people to spend more money.
So much for my sensibilities and instincts.
The list was 62 items long when I looked at it last night – too long, I thought – and today, when I looked at it again, there were only 12 items left. None of these items are expensive. I’m not rigid, the Army of Good loves to do good, and they also make up their minds about it. They are supporting this list.
So how can I not?
In all honesty, I wish they had waited a bit, I was bracing myself for the first ever failed Mansion Wish List, and it will be a while before the next. But there it is. It is almost gone. They are such amazing people. They amaze me and amaze me.
The Mansion residents are planting quite a party.
As Maria can testify, I was mumbling about this wish list all night. But once again, I have misjudged the desire for good in our sometimes troublesome world.
Okay, I’m in; I can sniff the wind. You can review these 12 remaining items and polish off yet another list if you wish. In either case, bless you.