I've been thinking all day about how to tell you about Eric. The words just haven't come. My mom sent this earlier today. I figured you all wouldn't mind a "Pinch writer".

Hi Everyone,

We have come back from Bolingbrook after spending two days. Since Tuesday, Eric has gone from playing cards with his family to not eating, drinking only small amounts and sleeping most of the time. Much of the time in the last 24 hours have been deep, non responsive sleep. His pain seems to be being managed and most of the time he seems peaceful.

There is an overstuffed black office chair that sits next to Eric's bed. I periodically peak in and check on the black chair. It is very rarely empty. One view will be Amy with Eric's prayer shawl rapped around her shoulders sitting reading and holding Eric's hand. The next will be Eric's dad sitting watching the bicyclist in the Tour de France stroking Eric's arm. Another view is Eric's mom sitting facing Eric holding his hand in both her hands speaking to him. On a different occasion, Bob will be in there talking to Eric as he sleeps, telling him about the All Star Game going 14 innings. Yet another is the care giver of the day folding clothes. And of course, I get to sit in the chair periodically to talk about the days events. The kids have fun spinning the chair around and around. Other inhabitants of the chair have been Eric's boss, his brother, Mike, friends, a full array.

A friend of mine told me once that you should always have an empty chair near you. So that when you feel alone, out of control, or overwhelmed by the stuff of life, just peek over at the chair and know that the chair is really never empty. God is sitting in the chair right beside you holding your hand. You don't need anything else.


Tana