Gary,
I DO know exactly how you feel. I've never done anything as rewarding as playing at Nursing Homes. Unfortunately I can't do much of it now, as I'm working every night, but I still get out to a few, for me more than them.
Also to back up what you said, just tonight I played a song where I really felt like I picked my tail off on a couple of rides. Then I took a break and as I walked by the first table, a lady said "you are a wonderful singer". I wanted to say "I play good too and doesn't my new keyboard sound good" but of course I just smiled and said thank you so much.
What a great business to be in, huh?
Don