It's a sad, sad day in my world...my personal world, not my daycare world. My kids have heard hundreds of times the past 15 years, "hurry up and get to bed, ER's about to come on!"

Now I'm no fair-weather fan, mind you. I've never missed an episode. Had to tape a few and watch a couple in summer repeats, but I've seen them all. And while I've had times where I was disappointed or upset at storylines or characters leaving, I kept watching. I even made it through that ridiculously boring first half of last season. The writer's strike was a god-send for ER...they came back just as good, if not better, than ever.

And this season has been absolutely brilliant. The transplant episode a couple weeks ago - absolute genius! The only episode to produce more tears from me than when Dr. Pratt died this season was when Dr. Greene died. Ok, that's all before tonight...who knows what will happen?!?

So if you need to call me tonight...well, don't bother between 6:45 until after 10:00. I won't be available. Tracy has strict orders to take messages for me during that time and to be responsible for all kid, dog, and whatever other duties come up. My kids have strict orders that if they need anything during this 3-hour timeframe...ask Dad. Me and a kleenex box have a date on the couch!