....One Year Later...

365 days...12 months...one year.. a lifetime.. yesterday. That's how long it's been since Jerry left this Earth and our lives, shattering our hearts along the way. Today, January 30th, marks the one year anniversary of Jerry's last moments with us. While we have all struggled thru the past year without him, knowing our lives will never be the same without him surrounding us - we have managed to move on. In little ways, In ways of change he would be proud of. In remberance: a namesake child; a special tree; a quiet reflection spot...and especially in our memories and hearts. No matter how the year has passed for each of us - it HAS been a year.

I know our family has struggled greatly over the past year. Silently alone, quietly remembering or as a family fondly laughing at a funny tale or with a "mozzarella stick" toast over Christmas. Thru the innocent mind of a creative 3 year old that has "wings" to go see Jerry in Heaven to the more mature musings of a bright 5 year old that says "My uncle died, but he's the best pillow fighter ever!" They know.. but don't fully understand. To the much older and wiser struggles of a parent, an aunt, sisters, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends... wo DO know don't fully understand. Through it all, Jerry has been with us... we've all talked to each other and said "That was Jerry, don't ya think?" It's seen in the mannerisms of a teenager who acts like Jerry more than he may ever know, or in the quiet sarcasm that Jerry had that an 18 year old now possesses and in the quick wit her 14 year old sister has begun to show.

The past year has been a long, painful year for all of us. I can't begin to tell you on behalf of my parents and family how much the love, support, tenderness and just BEING THERE that so many of you gave - in many different ways..and how much that meant to us. From time in Kansas City at the hospital and house; to memorials, Aids Walk, blanket making and at anytime throughout this past year... your love, kindness and support and in continuing to remember Jerry means the world to us. While it can never be repaid, please know that from all of our hearts - know how much that has meant to us.

While we havne't spoken to many of you in awhile; we hope you are all doing ok and moving on with the absence of Jerry in YOUR lives as well. How many of us have done something, heard something or seen something and thought "I need to tell Jerry that!" .. well, always know that we can. Whether we tell him in our hearts or share it with friends - those moments will always be with us and Jerry will always be listening.

While we are moving on.. slowly and in our own way and time, the important thing to remember is that Jerry is and was in our lives and the impact he had will NEVER change or be forgotten. There are too many stories to share for him to ever leave our lives. :)

If you love somebody enough, you can still hear the laughter after they've gone. Boy, if that isn't the truth! I can still hear Jerry's laugh plain as day..AND the smartass comment to go along with it!

They say time heals all wounds... I think you'll all agree with me in that THIS wound may never heal... but it will become less painful as time goes on. Yes, our chain is broken, things are not the same and Jerry is no longer physically in our lives... but he will always be in our hearts and memories...nothing can take that away from any of us.

God saw you getting tired

A cure was not to be

So He put his arms around you

And whispered "Come with Me"

With tearful eyes we watched you

And saw you fade away

Although we loved you dearly

We could not make you stay

A golden heart stopped beating

Your tender hands at rest

God took you home to prove to us

He only takes the best.

In Remberance - Forever In Our Hearts

Jerry Robert Cahill

Son, Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Uncle, Friend

We love you and miss you.

Gone one year - Gone Forever.

June 21, 1962 - January 30, 2009

Who You Are Matters

What You Do Counts