The family is still gathered around my uncle. All my siblings have been here the majority of the last week. Some are going back to work today, but will return when needed. My uncle, home under hospice care, is often alert, seems delighted and sometimes surprised to wake and find some or all of us surrounding his bed. He still smiles, acknowledges us and reaches out to shake our hands in greeting. Sometimes in his sleep he will reach for the hand of the person who happens to be sitting next to him. He appears to need our touch, so we and his immediate family are there. I am glad everyone got here while he was awake and able to listen to conversation, even though he can’t speak much. And I am proud of our family for making the effort to be together at this time.