Quiet Moments

Today has been a day fraught with tension, emotions and quiet moments.

It was unclear whether or not Jerry would make it thru the night tonight as his blood pressure continued to drop ever lower and his heart rate rose to alarming rates. Family and close friends are all gathered at KUMed and we have once again set up "Camp Cahill" in our same waiting room.

Home made cookies; take out pizza and laughter over old pictures of Jerry and the memories they conjure have made this evening carry on at a bearable level. In Jerry's ICU room, we have gathered around him in a sort of "camp circle" and have been sharing memories and stories of Jerry and times gone by as episodes of Cheers and Friends play softly in the background... the laughter has been healing. Thru it all, Jerry has not stirred overly much, but even now I'm sure he is hearing our memories and laughing with us as he prepares for his journey.

The mass of family here have found quiet moments of solitude to remember Jerry, catch some sleep or share laughs amidst the group. To be sure, everyone is on edge and what little sleep we do manage to catch may not be restful, but we are all here for Jerry and sleep will come later for us.

It is mid-morning now and appears that Jerry is still holding on. Friday morning is the moment in which the breathing tube and other machines will be removed from Jerry... until that moment, and long after, we will all be here for him with endless amounts of love.