We, the sisters (Gloria Jean, Bunny, Maureen and me - Eileen) and significant others would go to various pizza places for dinner on Friday nights. Phillies is one of our favorite places. We usually sit in the back room because we're sometimes a big group (when other family members & friends join us) and lets face it - we're loud. No one ever wanted to figure out the bill, tip and how much each one owed. Jerry was always amazing at it (a numbers savant), figuring it out in a couple of minutes. He did make a mistake or two along the way and when we overpaid, Bunny made sure that he paid us back the next week with interest (maybe a beer or a glass of wine). Not too long after he passed away, we went to Phillies and sat in the back room. It never seems the same without Jerry there with us. But on this night, we were all being simpletons trying to figure out the bill and saying that we wished Jerry was there to help us out. Next thing we know there is a loud knocking on the door. The thing is, as many times as we were in that back room, none of us ever knew there was an emergency exit door. We all turned around to see where the knocking was coming from and then we all turned back and faced each other with shock on our faces. A few of us at the same time said "It's Jerry, lets let him in". We thought maybe he was inpatient with us trying to figure out the bill and wanted to be let in to help us. We sure do miss you Bro.

I have to share this story. It's a year today that you are gone Jer and you are in my every thought throughout this year. Today I knew it would be even more difficult so I made up my mind that I would stay very busy. I decided to take the covers off the kitchen chairs and freshen them up a bit. This required removing some unusual screws. I was so happy because I found a weird screwdriver in the garage and removed the first cover from the chair. When I tried to get the other covers off the screwdriver was not working on those screws. I went to Ace Hardware and they told me I needed an Allan key. Knowing Jerry had some someplace at home, I decided not to buy the one I needed. Well, after an hour of searching through every tool box and drawer in the garage, basement, and closet, I found three that were too big. I was totally frustrated and upset. I was in no mood to go back to Ace because I was looking at the clock and it was 2:40 and I was reliving the events that led to his passing at 3:00 last year. I gave up and I went into the garage to put the tools away in his tool drawer. As I opened the drawer, I pushed a plastic packet that Jerry kept small emery boards in and the packet fell on the ground....and there it was...the perfect size Allan key!!! I knew Jerry was there with me at that very moment...and that is what got me through the day!!