Lux Thinking Aloud

What Would You Say? (Famous Last Words)

12:53 AM

 To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.
-J.K. Rowling



What do you think would you say? What would your famous last words be?

We might not know as it might come in the least expected way or time (knock on wood, I hope it won't).

I was reading Looking for Alaska and the lead character has a fascination for historical people's famous last words. He's memorized most of them from the most profound to the most ridiculous.

It got me thinking. What would I say if my time comes given that it's not sudden?
What will my famous last words be?

I want to be faithful and say things like:
(a) Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. (Jesus' last words, Luke 23:46)
(b) Thank you God for the gift of life. I'm offering it back to you.
(c) Lord, take me home. I'm ready.
(d) Jesus, I am Yours in life. I am Yours in death.

I want to be romantic and promise:
(a) I will wait for you in life after death.
(b) I'll love you beyond forever.
(c) Our love will never perish.
(d) I'm yours up to my last breath. Even after then.

Or maybe just ask forgiveness from the people I've hurt and assure those who have hurt me that I've forgiven them.

Or tell my loved ones that I really love them with a love as imperfect but as real as mine.

Would I be really able to say these? Would I be even able to say a proper goodbye.
 

I might just say, "Look out!" or curse for all I know.

I remember my friend who passed away last year. Our last conversation was me asking her about her Facebook post and her telling me "I'll tell you when we see each other next time you come home."

Well, that never happened as she succumbed to cancer before I could even book a ticket home.

In case I got you thinking (like that book got me writing this), here are some famous last words from historical/famous people I gathered.


Famous Last Words




Nothing, but death. 
-Jane Austen when asked by her sister, Cassandra, if there was anything she wanted.

Is everybody happy? I want everybody to be happy. I know I'm happy.
-Ethel Barrymore

Friends applaud, the comedy is finished.
-Ludwig van Beethoven

I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.
-Humphrey Bogart 

Beautiful.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning in reply to her husband who had asked how she felt. 

I am still alive!
-Roman Emperor Gaius Caligula, stabbed to death by his own guards.

I am not the least afraid to die.
-Charles Darwin

I must go in, the fog is rising.
-Emily Dickinson

Come my little one, and give me your hand.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, spoken to his daughter, Ottilie.

Turn up the lights, I don't want to go home in the dark.

-O. Henry

Put out the light.
-Theodore Roosevelt

Oh, do not cry - be good children and we will all meet in heaven.

-Andrew Jackson, US President

Is it the Fourth?
-Thomas Jefferson, US President

Why do you weep. Did you think I was immortal?
-Louis XIV

Get my swan costume ready.
-ballerina Anna Pavlova

Lord, help my poor soul.
-Edgar Allan Poe

I love you, Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.

-James K. Polk, US President talking to his wife.

They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist. . . .
-General John Sedgwick, killed in battle during US Civil War.

I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.
-Leonardo da Vinci (this got me saying, "Oh, come on!)

Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.
-Oscar Wilde

Let me go to the house of the Father.
-Pope John Paul II

Curtain! Fast music! Light! Ready for the last finale! Great! 
The show looks good, the show looks good!
-showman Florenz Ziegfeld

I die hard but am not afraid to go.
-George Washington

Given the chance to bid a proper farewell, what would you say? Share your famous last words to me.


Source: CorsinetPhotos: Google images

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95 comments

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  1. To my husband I would say, "I love you to the moon and back." Yep, that's it.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  2. , I don't know what to say but I love this blog about this topic. Thank you.

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  3. No more sorrow, no more tears.

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  4. Lux, you have really presented a lot of quotes for just one post. I guess if we wrote down what we want to say for our last words, then they probably wouldn't be our last words....we will just have to wait until the time comes.

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  5. You are always great!
    Love all the quotes, it's the human being speaking...

    xoxo
    www.bellezzefelici.blogspot.com

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  6. so beautifully written
    cheers

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  7. Thought-provoking post, Lux. The legacy we leave lives on and on. Now, to be purposeful in choosing what that looks like ...

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  8. I cannot believe you had this post! I have one coming up with a similar topic. I think we all wonder about death. I hope to die gracefully and quickly. I also hope I have alreasy said what needs to be said.

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  9. I wouldn't know what my last words will be or whether there is a chance for last words. Only God alone knows.

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  10. I am not sure what I would say, hopefully I would tell the people that I loved how much they mattered to me and I work on forgiving people that have hurt me, I would hope that I would forgive them as I don't want to carry that with me... this is something to think about ... interesting xox

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  11. beautiful words
    kisses

    http://lestyledelapetiteblonde.blogspot.com.es

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  12. "Lord I offer my life to you. Use it for your glory."

    Inspiring post dear :)

    www.lavinajampit.blogspot.com

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  13. I don't know what I'm going to say at that time, but I really don't want to go! I want to live! :)
    Nice thought provoking post Lux, as always.. :)

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  14. What a heavy topic you shared with us today! If it were to happen right now, I'd say please no, I just ordered sushi and I'm starving, haha :D


    Fashionably,
    Patricia
    http://www.wingsforliberty.com/

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  15. Coucou,
    C'est un très beau post! Moi l'important ça serait d'être entouré des gens que j'aime ('◡')♥

    Bisous

    Manon

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  16. I've no idea what I'd say but I enjoyed this post and all those quotes, it really makes you think.

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  17. Wow! You come up with the best topics. I loved the movie Up. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I'm not sure what my last words would be, but this post certainly makes you think.
    Hugs... :)

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  18. Wow! This is such a lovely post! Never read anything like this before. All such lovely quotes; I still need to read Looking For Alaska; but I really can't wait till I read it now!

    WritingMonique.com

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  19. i love reading people's last words! but i have no idea what i'd say or what i'd want to say myself. x

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  20. I love this post!
    My last words would be that I hope I was a good mother... That I created wonderful memories and respectful, happy, healthful people to follow me. After all, if I messed up parenting...would anything else even matter? : ) And then I would ask God to take me home.

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  21. I have read Looking for Alaska and I remembered contemplating things pretty similar to this as well. I would like to think my final words would be a prayer to God, asking his blessing and forgiveness and praying for my family and those I love. That's what I would like to think, but it's impossible to predict right? And some of those last words are beautiful. I always feel so 'special' to be able to read and know them, if that makes sense.

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  22. I loved Oscar Wilde's...
    Sounds like a great idea to think about now...
    Although we dont know what we might say and if we could say anything at all...

    Having said that, I always wanted to think either of 2 things:
    a. I must be born as a boy in my next birth (Yes, i want next birth)
    b. If I am a girl, I want an older brother.

    :D

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  23. Thought Provoking! Come to think of it, I don't know what I would say.
    Thanks for this article got me *head scratching*
    Many Blessings Lux

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  24. Great post, Lux. I never thought about it before. I suppose I'd want my last words to be my last confession. Then, I'd probably say, "Lord, please bring me home."

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  25. Hi Lux, You have a wonderful ability to write a post that gets us thinking. Every time I stop by I find myself leaning back in the chair and thinking it over. Well done!

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  26. nice post, I'm really not afraid of death, but getting old...

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  27. What an incredibly thought provoking post, Lux! It really makes me want to write something up for each of my loved ones in case I don't get a chance to say it to them. I would definitely use my last words to tell my family how much I love them.

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  28. i'd like mine to be: be kind; be well.

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  29. Others are right -- your posts do make me lean back and think. I wish I could say my last words would be something wonderful and consoling to my family. Truth is sitting here thinking about it I am much more shallow and would to cry and throw a temper tantrum because I don't want to leave any of them. I want to stay here with them forever. I'm finally enjoying life and I don't want it to end.

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  30. Oh Lux...I laughed long and hard over Oscar Wilde's last words. Priceless! (I take it he left!) I hope I would tell my children how much I love them, my husband too. Then I'd tell Jesus I was coming. I know he'd be ready because he called me home.
    Wonderful post :)
    Ceil

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  31. Let's see...last words? "Sorry for everyone I ever hurt. Peace!"

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  32. Beautiful words, great post!
    www.alessandrastyle.com

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  33. Love the Disney references, Lux! I would hope my last words are joyful and full of love. Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend :)

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  34. Some nice words to think, but I do not know if I would have time to do the verge of death!

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  35. These quotes are fascinating! I loved all of them and your post is wonderful.

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  36. It would be hard to leave that final impression of yourself em through words. This was great!

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  37. Amazing post...
    http://www.francescagori.com/en_US/fedez-lui-si-che-e-magnifico/

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  38. Beautiful read... But my last word.... I will just wait till I say I it..

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  39. I dont know what i will say but this is such a heart touching post

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  40. Nice post, although I'm not sure what my last words would be, I liked all those famous last words :-)

    Have a tanfabulous weekend :-)

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  41. Mine would be: I'm dying fat and hungry :)

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  42. Wow! I didn't realize how many people had famous last words. I'm not sure what mine would be. I'll have to think on that for awhile. I want them to be loving, grace-filled, and God/Jesus centered. Blessed to be your neighbor at the Weekend Brew!

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  43. Very thought-provoking post, Lux! I really don't know what my last words would/will be, but I hope that they will be kind, loving and encouraging.

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  44. Hi, dear Lux! This is a thought provoking post. We see it all the time in literature, in movies and on television. Characters make eloquent speeches on their death beds with all their loved ones gathered 'round. It rarely happens that way. Death is usually not neat and tidy and convenient. It is the exact opposite. The passing of your friend was a good example of how death comes unexpectedly, derailing plans.

    I would like to think that if I had the opportunity to utter last words to my loved ones, I would make a few jokes to put them at ease. I would also thank them for allowing me to be a part of their lives for so many years and all the sacrifices they made for my sake. I would also thank God for the opportunity to live a life here on earth and ask that I be given another chance at life in the hereafter.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend Lux!

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  45. What an interesting idea for a post. I loved visiting your blog today.

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  46. Probably, I will say..so this is it. I have to say goodbye, but promise me that you will be in heaven too one day with me.

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  47. Happy Sunday, darling :)))
    I always LOVE your beautiful quotes!

    xoxo
    www.bellezzefelici.blogspot.com

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  48. Cool idea for a blog post :-) I'd probably say something like 'Can I at least have one last box of Belgian chocolates before I go?'

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  49. such heart toughing words :)

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  50. My last words would be "thank you for the best life ive ever had, if the next life is really I would love to be the daughter of my beloved parents again" :)

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  51. This is a beautiful post Lux, like you Davinci's last words had me saying come on! That man achieved so much.

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  52. Wow, such a great post and topic. Something we will all have to face one day. I would just make sure my family knew how much I loved them and try to squeeze in as many hugs and kisses as possible. And ask them not be sad for too long. Because they made the happiest in life.

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  53. I don't know what I'd say, but I hope it's good.

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  54. This post really got me thinking and even while I have the time to think now, I'm still unsure what my last words would be. I guess it really depends on what would be happening around me at that time. I felt something stirring when I read the part about your dear friend's last words to you. It's really heartbreaking. I lost someone dear to cancer too. =(

    An interesting post and definitely something to ponder about.

    Jo
    Jo's Jumbled Jardinière

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  55. In my culture death is quite of a tabu. I have never thought of my last words, but now when you spotted it I am even more aware how big importance my words may have. Thank you for sharing!
    xoxo

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  56. Oh..you are making me so teary eyed. All I know is that I always tell my Mom I love her ..every time we say goodbye on the phone..and how I wished I was there. I always think of the opening scene in cold mountain where the young man laid dying and his last words were.."Sing me out of here."

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  57. I've already asked my siblings to post something should I die before them. It's my poem, "Keep Two Smiles" (one for you - the reader- and one for me). That's what I'd like to be my final message.

    It was nice and interesting to read all the quotes.
    Thanks, Lux. Be well.

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  58. The truth is I don't know what will my last words would be. Will I have a chance to utter something as I die? Bahala na lang ang Diyos tungkol doon.

    What I'm thinking about is how I can transfer my online assets (my blog and social media accounts) to my heir. Someone should keep the blog going after my death.

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  59. I'm sorry that you weren't able to say goodbye to your dear friend. How sad to lose someone so young. These were all wonderful quotes. I try to tell my family how much I love them as often as possible, because life really is too short.

    Julie

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  60. Hi sweet Lux,
    amazing selection of quotes! Lovely messages!!
    Baci,
    Coco et La vie en rose - Valeria Arizzi

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  61. I've never really thought about my own last words, but I have many times thought about the last words I shared with friends and family who've died. Thank you for this sweet post.

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  62. I have been thinking of last words lately. I don't know what mine would be, but I hope it would be in love and not uttered out of regret for relationships, etc.

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  63. Oooh. I am not sure. I guess it all depends on the person and situation.

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  64. What a thought provoking post. The things I want my friends and family to know I hope are my last words. I love you so much and I'll be waiting for you in heaven - eager to see your sweet faces again.

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  65. I'm not sure what I would say. I did enjoy reading this post. :)

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  66. I haven't given much thought to what my last words would be, but I hope they are awesome. Watch, it will end up being something totally random. :)

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  67. Gros bisous et bonne semaine ♥

    Manon

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  68. I recently lost a beloved cousin to cancer. She was a Christian who comforted us when things got bad by saying, "Pray, but don't grieve! I win either way! If God lets me live I get to enjoy more time with you but if He doesn't I am going Home and will wait for you there." I've thought about it and think that I would like to leave my loved ones with a similar sentiment.

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  69. I wish to speak my last words before I am old. hehe. Otherwise, i might forget everything and sadly have to leave this world one day.

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  70. Very interesting read, i like the last words from Oscar Wilde , even in death he was hilarious . Honestly i havent thought of what i would say.

    www.stylenbeautylounge.com

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  71. this is a thought-provoking post indeed, and very enlightening. i hope i'll be fortunate enough that my final words will be ones of peace and comfort :)

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  72. Amazing post. I don't like to think about this too often but I mean you never know when your time is up, which is sad.

    Florals&Smiles
    Twitter

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  73. This is an interesting read dear
    interesting
    fashionitazbybuiti.blogspot.com

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  74. Hello greetings and good wishes.

    One of my friends who worked very hard to accumulate wealth said this just before he died ==== EVERY THING IS LOST.

    Here are some quotes I collected after reading your thought provoking post.

    I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.-------- Michael Faraday


    Please, please give me some.-------- Michael Jackson asking Dr. Conrad Murray for drugs. Shortly after saying this, he died of an overdose.


    God Bless you, my dear!-----Samuel Johnson


    Lord, if I have done well, You know it; and if badly, I take refuge in Your infinite mercy.-----José María Morelos, Mexican independence fighter (executed)]

    I am not sure what my last words will be. This is perhaps I am not yet ready to die.

    Best wishes



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  75. thanks for sharing this, it is really great. at the end of the way, i would tell my son that his father is great, haha

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  76. We all know death waits out there somewhere for us all, but we just don't expect it to be soon. Those last words were both beautiful and haunting. Perhaps it would be good to write some letters to our loved ones and express our love and devotion for them NOW just in case we don't have the opportunity to say some profound last words. Thank you for sharing this though provoking post with us here at Tell me a Story. Sorry your friend passed away before you could get there to be with her.

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  77. I love how you mad me pause to think about what I would say. The movie references were just precious and the quotes were fun to read. I would hope I would leave with love for my family on my lips and a smile for Jesus as I finally made it home. Great words and ideas to ponder.

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  78. I am not sure what I would say tho....it could be 'Erhmmmmm.....what direction is the li-------'....hehe

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  79. Great post Lux. I'm not sure I'll get the chance to say what I really want to on my deathbed so I've already written out my last words to be read at my funeral. That way I get the last word. :)

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  80. I have no idea what I would say! This is such an interesting subject. I guess it would depend on if I were old and had lived a full life, or if I were still fairly young. And it would depend on who had gone before me. I mean, if I die before my husband, I imagine my last words would be for him alone.

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  81. I have no idea what I would say but I don't think it matters, someone will always be wittier or cleverer or more humorous than me.. It will be the state of my soul that matters.

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  82. saying good bye for the last time .... It's hard...i'll say that. You have a million or more thought running through your heart but your mind is screaming so loudly you can't think.

    thanks for this - hopefully others will say I love you more often just because of reading this post.

    @spreadingJOY
    Marie

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  83. What interesting thoughts, Lux. I hope I will be able to say things similar to the "faith" ones you mentioned. :) Thanks for reminding us of the important things in life and the ultimate goal. God bless!

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  84. i like the quote saying Nothing, but death.

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