Well… Here we are again, taking Ella for surgery in Chicago … Other families do theme parks, camping or county clubs. We do surgery in Chicago. Others later cannot tell you enough about it ‘we had the greatest time’ . ‘the weather was great’ ,’here look at these pictures’. We are modest. We don’t try to get them envious,. We know it’s not for everyone. Anyway… This time it is only Ella and me. And besides the last part where Ella gets sedated and operated on… It has been great fun. I think both of us enjoyed these few days together alone. No school, work, siblings or anything, Ella has been in the best mood. We flew, drove around, visited Victor, Shoshana and Anabelle, ate out, went to a museum, a doctor’s appointment and slept in a strange room. She took it all in stride, even enthusiasm. She even walked outside on icy sidewalks in temperatures that should be illegal. No complaints and often cheerfully singing. She asked to go to the bathroom and had no accidents. It has really been a pleasure being with her. We are staying in the Ronald McDonald house. This is a wonder of philanthropic achievement. The place is dedicated to providing a place for patients of kids with medical issues being treated at children’s hospital. They have everything you could possibly want. Rooms, kitchens, food, games, laundry, internet and a staff which is at times even too friendly. Today’s challenge was to keep Ella from falling apart while waiting for surgery. She was not to have eaten since last night. We were told to be here at 9 for surgery at 11. (though why they need two hours is beyond me). At the end she only went in at 12:15. Not sure how she did it. I was already nibbling on the oxygen mask they had laying around. In the elapsed time six people came by and asked me the exact same questions. I think it could be useful if they started teaching reading in medical school, now that everyone has gotten such a firm grasp of writing. I am in the waiting-room, anxiously waiting for Ella to emerge.