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Show 377 I am excited with his gift. My oldest children have returned to the room, wearing faces pasted straight. What is so funny? Why is everyone so tense? Hy is gathering everyone together for a hug and kiss good-bye. We will see each other on Christmas Eve. It is in just a few days, he is saying. A few days? I did not know it was so soon. Julia is my nurse this night, this special night, Christmas Eve. She has a surprise as well, she is saying. My friend has agreed to bring the birds wrapped with a quilt surrounding then gold cage - hospital mles, after all, forbid animals. Julia has spoken with her and all is arranged. Julia is coming into my room, smiling. It is time. I am on two numbers less ofthe IV Versed drip than I was the last time I saw my family - and two numbers more cognizant of my surroundings - but nevertheless, there are syringes sticking up from Julia's pocket. I know they are for the possibility of my needing massive Versed in case of startle. Julia will be staying with me. She is helping me into my wheelchair, covering my legs with a warm blanket, wheeling me down the hall. I am pushing the IV pole. We are entering a doctors' lounge and it has been deco- |