Search Results for: The Mansion

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.

My most significant achievement in two years of Mansion Meditation Class happened today. Susan Meditated.

When the class started, Susan, a newcomer to the Mansion, said she wanted to attend my meditation class but didn’t want to meditate. She hated sitting still, she said, and she hated silence. She said she was afraid to look too deep inside herself and didn’t know the point of it. She never wavered or suggested she would join in.

In my classes, I read (Maria came and read some poems today), and then we meditated for between 6 and 10 minutes. Halfway through, I opened my eyes to see how everyone was doing. At first, the residents would be drawing, sleeping, or looking restless and uncomfortable.

Still, they always came. Week by week, one after the other, would close their eyes and, in silence, look into their souls.

Susan didn’t like it, but she always came. Usually, she would draw while we meditated.

“I guess I’ve changed a little,” she said, smiling shyly.

Today, I opened my eyes and was shocked to see Susan with her eyes closed, deep in silent meditation. I asked if I could take her picture, and she nodded yes. I was thrilled. They were listening, and as I looked across the room, everyone in the class except Jane from Memory Car had their heads down and their eyes closed. I congratulated Susan, and she looked pleased. She said she liked it. I wanted to cry.

They were listening and meditating, which meant a lot to them. Susan’s closed eyes and deep thought made it all worthwhile. I’m too close to it to know if it is helping them; today, I saw clearly that it is. That feels beautiful. Maria came with me today, she had some beautiful poems to read. Zinnia kissed everyone.

As always, we talked about real life; this is as important to me as it is to them. We talked about the value of silence. We talked about how to be civil to people we don’t like. We talked about what spirituality means to them.

Sharon, the poet and one of my favorite residents, told me she was leaving the Mansion. She now needs more medical care than the Mansion can provide. That was a sad moment for me, and I know it for her. Sharon is a published poet who has been writing and publishing poems all her life. I will miss her greatly. Maria gave her a book of poems from Rumi, whose poems she was reading. Above, Claudia showed me her drawing.

Rachel was enthusiastic about meditating from the beginning. She says it calms and grounds here.

Jane lives in Memory Care and continues to draw during our meditation work. She comes every week and says it is always important to her.

Claudia loves to listen to Maria’s poetry reading. She has always attended a meditation class and meditates every morning before breakfast.

Ellen lives in Memory Care and has always attended a meditation class. Most of the time, she draws. Today, she meditated. It was a great day in Meditation Class.

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Some of you have asked me what’s going on with the Mansion. The truth is, I have no idea. Last year, a New York company that runs nine or ten elder facilities purchased the mansion. I’ve never seen or heard from the new owners, and they have yet to take any steps to change the Mansion, which is struggling to hire aides and staffers. I don’t know anyone from the new owner’s company who has spoken with anyone at the Mansion beyond a staff meeting held months ago.

The new owners told the staff everything would stay the same for at least a year.

I love my class and work and will continue to help get the residents clothes, blankets, books, and any other assistance I can. I am buying a lot of art supplies at the moment. Eventually, the new owners will show up and explain their plans.

The mansion work is critical to me; I’ve volunteered there for ten years. Although many people have left, I’m still hanging out there.

Donations are welcome. From Paypal, [email protected], from Venmo, Jon Katz@Jon Katz-13, or by mail Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

In March, I spent $800 to purchase art supplies, sneakers, blankets, and books, and  $1,000 for new tablecloths on each of the Mansion’s 12 dining room tables. I also do regular therapy visits with Zinnia, and there is no cost to that. Thanks to your support, it is necessary.

Maria taught her drawing class at the Mansion this morning, and I decided to go and bring some clothes I bought at a consignment store going out of business. I got blouses, pants, and sweaters for $2 apiece.  Maria brought markers and instructions; she was up half the night planning for the class. She takes it very seriously, as she always takes art. While there, I asked Maria if I could take her art class, and she said sure. Her lesson was to teach the residents how to draw birds.

This was a timely subject for me, and the Mansion residents love it when we are together, joking and ribbing each other. I got high marks for my bird. I took some photos, of course, and they speak for themselves. Maria said I did well, but she doesn’t believe in grades. “Everyone gets an A for showing up,” she said, “even you.” Maria is a great teacher; she is patient, clear, and affirming. The residents love her, as do I. I loved the class, I will invite her to my next meditation class. They love us together. They love to hear our stories of the farm. There was a lot of love in that room.

Rachel is a good students, she loves to learn and was the first to finish her bird.

Jane is a gifted artist and a good friend of mine. She loves to pat my head and hug me. We worked together.

I was the last to finish my bird, it was, alas, not the best bird. No surprise.

Maria’s enthusiasm is boundless. She drew guides on the chalkboard and worked with every resident on their birds.

Ellen hugs Zinnia every time on her way back to Memory Care. They adore one another.