Extraordinary kindness in word and in touch and in deed. It is about paying attention and then, in a busy world, making time center on what might make our residents happy…

A few weeks ago, it was preparing all the stuff for John’s children so that they could enjoy a taco bar luncheon on what turned out to be the last day that they had with their Dad.

It was helping Maria find the perfect pillow while secretly confiding in her that we suspected that it didn’t even exist.

It was putting The Notebook seven nights in a row on the television so that Tom could have another good and cathartic cry.

It was helping Diana play Elvis Presley religious anthems in the morning and even swaying back and forth a little bit with her.

It was getting the whole staff together to wear scarves with Karen and declaring it the official Karen day, complete with pictures and a cake.

It was eating milk and drinking cookies with Georgia during the middle of many nights.

It was telling Mark over and over again that he was the most loved man in Santa Barbara and sealing each telling with a big sloppy kiss on the top of his head.

It was thinking you were going out the door after a long eight hours only to be begged to go up to the Liquor Store for yes! you guessed it! A pack of cigarettes! And then going with joy!