(Note: I'm sorry for the horrible spelling, but I can't find the spell check on this computer!)

"Grandma!"

I opened my eyes and looked at all of the smiling faces crowded around my bed.

"Happy birthday!" They all yelled in unison.

Balloons floated freely around the room, streamers were taped to the various machines surrounding my bed, and bows were on top of my grandchildren's heads.

I let out a laugh of amusement as the small children ran about the room gathering gift wrapped boxes. My eldest daughter, Paula, placed a chocolate cake on my food-stand while my son, Frances, began placing the packages that his nieces and nephews handed him in a nice neat pile on the floor beside my bed.

"how does it feel to be 72, Ma?" My second oldest, Ella, stepped forward and placed a party hat on top of my head.

"Fantastic! I feel older than I ever have!" The adults in the room laughed as they wrangled up their children and settled into the chairs that were arranged around my bed.

Frances stepped forward and began to light the lime green candles on top of my chocolate. My mouth began to water just looking at the cake.

After the candles were lit, I began to here "make a wish", "blow them out!", and "come on, Grandma!" from the small kids, so I did.

"What did you wish for, Gramma?" My youngest grandchild left her mother, Ella, and came to my side. her large blue eyes looked up to me and I couldn't help but reach down and touch her face.

"I can't tell you that, dear, or it won't come true." I smiled down at her and watched a grin spread across her freckle-speckled face.

"Can I give you a gift, Grandmother?" Leeroy, the 16 year-old son of Frances, walked to my bed and handed me a black box. Leeroy was the scholar of the group around me. He always had his nose in a book and he was always making observations about things that no one else caught. He was handesome, too. With broad shoulders and a height of 6"4, he drove all of the young girls crazy. I was worried that he would never marry for he was very introverted. Any girl would be lucky to have him no matter what.

I smiled at Leeroy and patted his hand. He leaned in a kissed me on the cheek and went to his book by the window sill.

Inside the box were several drawings that the little children had drawn me.

"Juli, come here." I called Paula's 9 year-old daughter over to my bed-side. "Why don't you and the others put these around the room?" This was the perfect time to soften the harshness of the room around me.

I had never been comfortable in this room or in this Home. All of the folks that lived here were depressing to look at and they were too busy with bingo to discuss anything interesting. Hopefully these drawings would bring color and interest back into my life.

The room was a blur of streamers and moving bows as the children hung their artwork and my son and daughters handed me more boxes to open.

Soon, the children were trying to find places to sleep and the boxes were empty. There were last minute 'happy birthday's and kisses farewell, and then I was once more alone.

The only remnants of the party were the streamers on the floor, the pictures on my walls, and the hat on my head.

I reached up and fingered the one shape party-favor. I laughed and brought my hand down. As I did so, I began to examine my hand. i had veins sneaking up my arms and IVs stuck in them. My hair was snow white and getting thinner by the moment. I was old.

It had felt as if it was just last year when I had been patrolling the cruel streets of New York City, locking away the murderous scum that lurked in the shadows. But, it wasn't last year, it had been 20 years since the injury that put me in a desk permanently and ten years since I retired. Now, I find myself in Waterspointe Nursing Home where I am attached to machines and surrounded by the decaying population of New York.

I was once a crime-fighting heroine, and what am I now? A lonely, widowed, 72 year old woman who's 3 children and 12 grandchildren never visit. I'm gray, old, and I'm at that point in my life where I welcome death with open arms.

Even though I'm accepting the fact that I may die tomorrow, I never afraid of it. How could I when I was faced with it ever day? I couldn't tell you how many guns were stuck in my face. I was even kidnapped once. I remember everything clearly like it had all happened 10 minutes ago. I wish it had happened right now. I would give anything to be young again, to be the woman I once was.

My favorite nurse, Sophie, came in and began to pick up the left overs from the party.

"how was it?" She sat on the end of my bed, arms full of streamers.

"The one time that my family visits me each year for a maximum of 2 hours is always wonderful, Sophie." The nurse laughed and rumpled the decorations into a ball. "Would you like some cake?"

"No thank you, its the last thing I need!" Sophie patted her flat stomach. I never got why skinny people always thought they were fat. "I got you something." Sophie handed me a small pink box with a white ribbon around it.

"Sophie, you didn't have to..." I looked down at the small box in my hands.

"yes I did. You've been so kind to me." Sophie put her hand on mind and smiled. I returned her gesture and began to undo the ribbon bow.

I lifted the lid of the box and gawked at the precious ruby earrings.

"Oh, Sophie! They're gorgeous! Help me put them on!" The young nurse leaned forward and put the earrings in and sat back.

"You look beautiful." I smiled and looked to her.

"I fell like I'm 30 again!" It was true because that was the last time I had worn earrings.

I reached up and fingered the earrings.

"Thank you so much!" I leaned in and hugged the young nurse. Then, I heard a rustling in the doorway. I looked up at the tall, broad-shouldered man leaning in my doorway holding a bouqet of roses.

"Happy birthday, Alex."