I have always believed that “Any man can be a father, but it 1 someone special to be a dad.” This is true. Since the2 of my son, Joshua, things have changed a lot in my life, but the3 have been good! My wife and I have been through many4 moments which have made both of us stronger.
My son was born 5 a serious breathing problem and he couldn't keep his medicine down. He was put on several different medications, 6he did not get any better. My wife and I were both told many times by people that Joshua 7he was born early; he had not8 much weight since he was born.
As time progressed his regular doctor advised my wife and me 9 Dr. Eid, a specialist in Louisville. He was 10by my son's condition and so we were sent to Louisville's Children's Hospital. Joshua 11many different checkups. The 12spent there was very demanding for my wife and me. But we did make it13. Our son Joshua was diagnosed (诊断) with asthma (哮喘), and with acid reflux syndrome (酸回流综合症). After the treatment, his14 began to improve slowly.
Joshua is 1 year and 1 month old now and his progress has been15 he is up to 27 pounds now. I keep telling my wife that if he keeps16 like this he might become a football 17someday. There is a 18 that has helped me get through these troublesome times, “Problems will either 19you or break you.” When you think the20hours are upon you, remember the dawn is just in sight.
One day a mother brought home a small 1 and gave it to her little girl on her birthday. She told her little girl that the jar was 2 , and that she could write to her mommy about anything in the world and then put it in the jar. And 3 , in its place, there would be a 4 for her. Soon the jar became a special part of their lives.
The little girl loved to get 5 from her mommy. They always told her how 6 she was. Sometimes, too, there would be a little 7 in the jar with a note telling her how 8 her mommy was of her. She 9 all of her mommy's letters in a pretty box by her bed.
The mother 10 each of her little girl's letters, too. As the years went by, that little girl 11 into a young lady and then got married and started a 12 of her own. For the first time, the jar sat 13 . The mother dusted the jar every day and sometimes looked inside, 14 sadly that the magic jar years had to end.
One day the young lady came to 15 her mother. She went straight to her mother's room, opened the chest at the end of her bed, and found what she was looking for. She 16a piece of paper and put it in the jar, and 17 it to her mother. The mother opened the magic jar and there was that note from so long ago, “You're going to be a 18 !”
And when that baby boy was born months later, there was the jar 19 in his nursery(育儿室) with a blue ribbon tied around it, and a note that read, “Magic jar years never 20 : they are always just beginning.”
Love Is Blind: The Magic of Tabby
In October, 2003 I started my work at my local animal shelter's Adoption Department. Over the years, more than 50,000 animals have 1 the doors of the shelter. Most of them, I do not remember. But occasionally there are 2 animals, who touch me so deeply that I could never possibly 3 them. Tabby was one such animal. Tabby was an ancient Cocker Spaniel, probably 14 years old. What's more, she was blind and deaf. Tabby's chances at adoption seemed 4 at best. After all, we didn't have many adopters coming in 5, “Can you show me all of your really old dogs who are also 6?” We had all thought that Tabby would live out the rest of her life at the 7.
One day a woman named Loretta came to the shelter. Her son, Gary, had 8 Tabby's picture and stories on the shelter's website at home. They were interested in meeting her! It was the only 9 we ever received about Tabby. What could a young child possibly see in a 14-year-old dog who was both blind and deaf? Most boys would want a dog who could grow with them and 10 through grassy fields on summer days. Tabby would 11 be able to do that. But after meeting her, Loretta and Gary decided that she was the right dog for their family. They adopted Tabby! If Tabby's story had simply ended with her 12 adoption, it would still have been something very special indeed. 13, it was what happened after her adoption that people might regard as “magic”. Gary 14 from seizures(癫痫). Since Gary and Tabby met they became 15. They did everything together. They became so “in tune” with one another that Tabby began to telegraph Gary's seizures 16 they occurred, giving his family 17 that one was about to strike. What's more, Gary seemed to be having fewer and fewer seizures since Tabby's 18.
How could it be? Nobody could explain 19 Tabby did it. But those of us who were fortunate enough to know her and her family had 20 the magic, the kind that has its roots in love.
When I was 13 my only purpose was to become the star on our football team.That meant1Miller King,who was the best2at our school.
Football season started in September and all summer long I worked out.I carried my football everywhere for 3.
Just before September,Miller was struck by a car and lost his right arm.I went to see him after he came back from4.He looked very5,but he didn't cry.
That season,I6all of Miller's records while he7the home games from the bench.We went 10-1 and I was named most valuable player,8I often had crazy dreams in which I was to blame for Miller's9.
One afternoon,I was crossing the field to go home and saw Miller10when he was going over a fence—which wasn't_11to climb if you had both arms.I'm sure I was the last person in the world he wanted to accept12form. But even that challenge he accepted.I13him move slowly ever the fence.When we were finally 14on the other side,he said to me,“You know,I didn't tell you this during the season,but you did15.Thank you for filling in for 16”
His words freed me from my bad17.I thought to myself,how even without an arm he was more of a leader. Damaged but not defeated,he was18ahead of me.I was right to have19him.From that day on,I grew20and a little more real.
When my husband and I got married, he worked as a mechanic (机修工) from midnight to 8 a.m. However, I worked during the 1So as he came home from work each morning, I was getting ready to2.
We had very little3 then, so when Valentine's Day(情人节) came around that first year, I knew we couldn't 4 anything for each other. After he left to go to work the night before Valentine's Day, I decided to5 and make a Valentine's Day card for him. I 6 wrote a poem on the front of the card. When he came home the next 7 I felt foolish as I handed him the card8 that he wouldn't laugh at it. When he had finished9 it, he slowly raised his head and looked at me. Then he reached down into his pocket. When he pulled his10out, he was holding11
He told me that he had12 it for me during his lunch hour, but he had been 13to give it to me because he thought I might think it was14and that I might laugh at it.
It was a small heart made out of aluminum (铝)15I had stayed up all night making him a valentine card, he had been cutting out a16 for me. I still have the aluminum heart, and I17 it in my desk. Every time I see it, all those 18come flooding back to me. Over the years, we've been able to buy each other very nice19 presents for Valentine's Day. But none has ever been as dear or20 as much as those handmade gifts made from our hearts the first year that we were married.
I first went to hear a live rock concert when I was eight years old. My brother and his friends were all 1of a heavy metal group called Black Wednesday. When they 2 that Black Wednesday were going to perform at our local theatre, they all bought 3 for performance. However, at the last minute, one of the friends couldn't go, so my brother 4 me the ticket. I was really 5!
I remember the buzz (嘈杂声) of excitement inside the theatre as we all found our 6. After a few minutes, the lights went down and everybody became 7. I could barely make out the stage in the 8. We waited. Then there was a roar from the crowd, like an explosion, as the first members of the band 9 the stage. My brother leaned over and shouted something in my ear, but I couldn't 10 what he was saying. The first song was already starting and the music was as11 a jet engine. I could 12 the drum beats and bass notes in my stomach.
I can't recall any of the songs that the band played. I just 13that I really enjoyed the show and didn't want it to 14. But in the end, after three encores (加演), the show finished. We left the 15 and walked unsteadily out onto the pavement. I felt a little dizzy, as if I had just 16from a long sleep. My ears were still 17with the beat of the last song.
After the 18, I became a Black Wednesday fan too for a few years before getting into other kinds of music. Once in a while,19, I listen to one of their songs and 20 I'm back at that first show.
At two, most children are happy to play with stuffed toys. 1, for Freddie Bawden, life on the farm is not child's play but a labour of 2.
Feddie likes nothing more than 3 his working suit to join his father James and mother Kayleigh as they 4 their animals. He helps feed the pigs, sheep and other animals. 5 his young age, Freddie takes his duties very 6. He also helps make up their feed and gives the animals water before sweeping up and laying down 7 hay.
Freddie even has two battery-powered 8 of his own for carrying hay. Mr Bawden said, "He's really 9 actually. It's good for him to 10 up around animals. It gets him outside a lot and he absolutely loves it really."
Like most children, of course Freddie goes to 11 one-and-a-half days a week, but he spends the rest of his time helping his parents, who also 12 a dog training centre on the farm. The youngster helps to 13 the dogs, as well as feed them and sweep the kennels (狗舍). He also likes to join in the special training sessions, 14 toys for the dogs to 15 after. Mr Bawden said some even 16 better to Freddie than they did to their adult owners who may "overthink" things.
Mr Bawden 17 most two-year-old are more likely to be found watching TV or playing with 18. But he said, "If he wants to come with me, he can. If he doesn't, he doesn't have to. He's really healthy, fit and strong. He eats well and 19 well because he's doing so much. He loves 20 off, and he loves showing other people his pigs and sheep."
My father was born in a small town in the US. He wasn't sure what he wanted from1, but something told him to 2 and begin a new adventure.
He began that adventure traveling to cities in the US before going on to Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. He took my mother and us three daughters with him and went wherever the road 3 him.
It's easy to feel 4 when you're on the road. We made lots of new friends on our trip — most of them are mechanics, since we often 5 hours in repair shops. But that was a way much 6 than sitting by the roadside while waiting for the engine to 7 when it was 40℃ outside.
Getting along well sometimes seemed 8. There were always a lot of 9, especially among us back-seat passengers about who had to 10 in the middle. But even if it was hard, we learned a lot about 11. When we were traveling in the Philippines, we drove to Quezon City one day. It should have been an hour's drive but was nearly three thanks to bad roads and 12 traffic. "Did you put our suitcases in the car?" my father asked my mother as we arrived there. From the back seat, we saw her 13 turn toward my father. "No," she said. "I thought you did." That was how a seven-hour car trip turned into a 16-hour one, which was mostly spent in 14.
On occasions like that, we had to learn to let go of our anger because we were 15 in a rolling box with the same people for the rest of the 16. Even if I sometimes felt like opening the car door and 17 one of my sisters out, I kept my feelings to myself.
This is why road trips were like 18 universities to us. We 19 our PHDs(博士学位) in how to get along with other people just by traveling in our old car.
If we were 20 given a second chance at life, we would do it all over again. Only this time would I put the suitcases in the car myself.
Manuela got up earlier and bought two bags of cat food. She began going to the1 barbershop on the corner, making her weekly visit to see Hussein, the old barber. Hussein was both2 and delighted to see Manuela and the bags of food. The two hurried over to the tiny food dishes lined up in the alley. Several 3 appeared soon.
As the two 4 and made their way back inside the shop, Hussein's smile 5 and he explained he was about to 6 the barbershop. He had been told to leave within 7 days. His 7barbershop simply couldn't pay enough rent and the landlord had invited another roomer, one who wouldn't be 8 animals outside.
Manuela's eyes began to9 as Hussein expressed his10 about the homeless cats he cared for. But as fate(命运) would have it, there was something better11 for the barber and his cats. As Manuela's blog supporters read her12 about Hussein, they, one after another,13 donating to him and his cats. Every day for the next week, Manuela went to Hussein with the14 . And on the fourth day, something unbelievable happened when Hussein was able to15a storefront in an old building near his shop. No electricity,16 there was potential. Manuela and other people 17 to help paint and clear rubbish while electricians made all the necessary18 .
In less than two weeks, the barber was back in19 again. Through the kindness of strangers, 20 , his and his cats' whole world was brought back.
When you measure the distance between towns on foot, walk to places that you thought could only be reached by car, and it will change your mind.
I live in the suburb north of San Francisco, and1is considered the main transportation for most people here. I still remember how2I was when I first learned to drive 10 years ago. While driving with music gently3my heart, I was filled with joy, a joy of independence in a4land! I had a photo taken of me hugging my white car and sent it to my family in China. I love my car!
However, as time went by, that excitement5. I feared driving, and felt worried and6. Everyone seems to be in my way especially when I am in a7. One night, a deer ran out from the dark, knocked off the hood(引擎盖) of my moving car, and landed across the street. I didn't dare to get out of my car to see her. Crying on the8, I hated my car.
When I joined the 21-day mindful walking9, I began to walk with a mind. During the walking days, I said "hello" to a neighbor, who's lived next to me for a year. But I've never10attention to her. I smiled at every stranger passing by me. I walked to the streets that I normally would not pass through and11a tiny free library on the sidewalk. I began to12if I had really lived in this town all these years. It's a completely13town that I know so little about!
I felt deeply14for the walking challenge. Maybe I will15foot on far lands again, yet I know wonder is right here and right now.
Hesitantly, I stood on the doorsteps of an unfamiliar louse-L'Arche,and was about to meet my new 1 . Stepping through the door,,I was 2 by several ladies. One took her hand out of her mouth to shake mine. I remember holding her 3 hand and wondering if I was really 4 for what lay ahead.
L'Arche is a home for developmentally delayed adults,5 helping them experience love through a sense of 6 . My new home consisted of two assistants, including myself, and four developmentally delayed ladies. I can best describe my "job" at L'Arche as something 7 to a nanny（保姆）.
My day began around 7 am. We spent the 8 changing diapers（尿布）, giving baths, helping the ladies get dressed and eat. After breakfast I 9 the ladies brush their teeth. Next, it was laundry time. By 9 am I was 10 enough to have a rest.
When I first read about L'Arche, I 11 the chance to be a part of it. I had always enjoyed helping people with special 12 in a 9. to-5 job. But living with them 24 hours a day was totally 13. . I quickly discovered I didn't have as much love and patience as I had 14 . The unpredictable things made each day a(n) 15.
However, I knew that my housemates were16 themselves in the best way they knew. They didn't get many of what our culture considers " 17"cards. They were no stranger to pain or ilness. They had every reason to be 18 , but they weren't. They trusted me with their true selves.
When I arrived at L'Arche,I thought I had so much to offer. But apparently. it became the 19. My housemates offered me more than I offered them. They made me realized I needed to slow ,down and 20 the simple things in life.
The True Story of Treasure Island
It was always thought that the adventure (冒险) novel Treasure Island was the product of Robert Louis Stevenson's imagination. 1, recent research has found the true story of this exciting work.
Stevenson, a Scotsman, had lived 2 for many years. In 1881 he returned to Scotland for a 3. With him were his American wife Fanny and his son 4.
Each morning Stevenson would take them out for a 5 over the hills. They had been 6 this for several days before the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse. Kept indoors by the heavy rain, Lloyd felt the days 7. To keep the boy happy, Robert asked the boy to do some 8.
One morning, the boy came to Robert with a beautiful map of an island, Robert 9 that the boy had drawn a large cross in the middle of 10. “What's that?" he asked. "That's the11 treasure," said the boy. Robert suddenly12something of an adventure story in the boy's13. While the rain was pouring, Robert sat down by the fire to write a story. He would make the14a twelve-year-old boy, just like Lloyd. But who would be the pirate (海盗)？
Robert had a good friend named Henley, who walked around with the15 of a wooden leg. Robert had always wanted to 16 such a man in a story. 17, Long John Silver, the pirate with a wooden leg, was 18.
So, thanks to a 19 September in Scotland, a friend with a wooden leg, and the imagination of a twelve-year-old boy, we have one of the greatest 20 stories in the English language.
A few years ago, I was given a wallet. The wallet came to me all the way from Tanzania, I fell in love with it 1-it was the perfect size and came from a place I 2 , to visit someday in the future. I carried it everywhere. But the wallet had a personality(个性): it loved to 3, as I told my parents again and again, only to receive eye rolls 4
I seem to have a habit of:5 things-jackets, water bottles, textbooks, even shoes. And every time I would report another loss, my parents would have a harder time believing it. Even though my wallet was6, I lost it almost weekly. Fortunately, the most 7 place for me to lose it: was in my ow house, so I would 8 find it
One day, 9as I was leaving a football stadium at a school, the wallet once again slipped out of my pocket. I discovered, the 10when I got home that evening. My. parents still11my usual explanations, and frankly I was also a little , 12after all, I wasn't certain that I'd lost it, I only 13that I couldn't find it. I searched the 14 as usual; and I prayed and prayed Nothing
But a week later, my parents 15 a message on their business voicemail. A 16 was calling with news of my wallet. This man 17 my wallet and saw a check in it which my parents had written to me. It 18that their business phone number was on it.
I wrote a long letter to the man expressing my 19 .I don't know if I believe in chance or luck, but I do know I believe in the selfless acts of 20.My hope for the world is renewed whenever I recall this little event.
Dad was not only my best friend, but my compass (指南针). While he was alive, he1 me with his actions and advice. He taught me one important 2: "Believe in yourself."
If there was one phrase my dad 3 liked to hear, it was "I can't." He never got to finish high school and 4 two jobs to support his large family, 5 he never complained. Through education and years of hard work, my dad became an excellent journalist.
When I was in high school, I had a 6 time with math. He tried to help me, but I 7 struggled. So my math teacher suggested I meet with him at 7:00 each morning before school for 8 help. I told Dad, "That's 9! I'm tired! I can't do that!" He replied, "You're doing it. I'll send you to school." Every morning at 6:45, we'd leave the 10. Despite (尽管) working 12 hours every day, Dad never once 11 driving me to school.
After months of 12, I was facing the final exam. I was so 13. On the day of the final, my dad hugged me and said, "Luke, 14 yourself. You can do it." His words made me realize I needed to trust in my 15 and in the hours of work I'd 16. When I got my 17 proudly, the first person I called was my father. He cried, "Yes! You deserved it!"
Even now, whenever I 18 that a task is too much for me, I think back to that exam. No matter how 19something is, if you're willing to work, you can succeed. I'm forever 20 to Dad for that lesson.
On Nov. 29, 2011, my little sister Lily was born. The whole family welcomed her arrival with 1 and open arms. We were thrilled to have a new addition to our family.
As she grew, her 2 became apparent. We 3 she would appear distant at times and was unable to 4 with others. The smallest things would keep her entertained for long periods, and she would 5 the same routine happily throughout the day. At the age of three, Lily was taken to the hospital by my parents. We were told that she was a child with autism, and she would have 6 in communicating and forming relationships with others.
My family were 7 to learn that our loved one would probably be unable to live a 8 life. Unaware of what exactly this would bring, we made a decision to consider autism a 9. And what a blessing it turned out to be! The diagnosis brought our family 10, and we realized a deeper 11 for one another.
Raising a child with a developmental disability is a(n) 12 process. Mistakes are 13. However, through it all, our family is always there watching over her, 14 that she is in a comfortable and safe environment at all times. And Lily knows that she has a loving and supportive family who can be 15 and her biggest cheerleaders when 16 is achieved.
For those normal people perhaps my experience might make you more 17 what is really important in life. As for me, autism has 18 been a blessing of strength, courage and hope. It should not be 19 as a burden, but rather as a blessing to the families fortunate enough to 20 a different lifestyle.
Miriam Schreiber of Hartford, Connecticut, is proof that it's never too late to make your dreams come true.
At 7, the Poland native's 1 life was gone when World War II began. School was no longer a 2 as she and her family members spent years 3 the enemies-the Nazis. While Miriam came out a survivor, she's always wished she could have 4 her education. This year, she finally made that dream come true by transforming her 5 into a well-deserved achievement!
6 starting first grade in September 1939, Miriam, with her family, was 7and on the move for months, hiding from enemies in villages and forests, but 8, it didn't last long. They were 9 and sent to a slave labor camp in Siberia, where for six years Miriam watched her loved ones' 10
At long last, they were 11 when Miriam was 14. Many years later, she married fellow survivor Saul Schreiber in Germany. 12, they moved to the U.S., where they raised their two sons. She refused to stop 13, while Miriam never got the 14to go back to school! She 15 knew Polish and Yiddish and went on to teach herself English, German, Hebrew, and Swedish.
"I 16 myself," she said. "I read books day and night. I still do." Inspired by her 17, each student at Hartford's New England Jewish Academy agreed that she 18 an honorary diploma. So on August 16, 2020, the 88-year-old finally achieved her dream of 19 high school!
"When I got the 20, I burst into tears," she said. "I just couldn't believe it was mine."
Even though it was only October, my students were already whispering about Christmas plans. With each passing day everyone became more 1waiting for the final school bell. Upon its 2everyone would run for their coats and go home, everyone except David
David was a small boy in ragged破旧的 clothes. I had often 3what kind of home life David had, and what kind of mother could send her son to school dressed so4for the cold winter months, without a coat, boots, or gloves. But something made David 5I can still remember he was always 6a smile and willing to help. He always 7after school to straighten chairs and mop the floor. We never talked much He8just smile and ask what else he could do , then thank me for letting him stay and slowly9home
Weeks passed and the 10over the coming Christmas grew into restlessness until the last day of11before the holiday break. I smiled in 12as the last of them hurried out the door. Turning around I saw David 13standing by my desk.
"I have something for you" he said 14from behind his back a small box. 15it to me, he said anxiously. "Open it "I took the box from him, thanked him and slowly unwrapped（打开） it. I lift the lid 盖子and to my 16 I saw nothing I looked at David's smiling face and back into the box and said. "The box is nice, David, but it's17"
"Oh no it isn't" said David "It's full of love, my mum told me before she died that love was something you couldn't see or touch unless you know it's there"
Tears filled my eyes 18I Iooked at the proud dirty face that I had rarely given19to. After that Christmas, David and I became good friends and I never forgot the meaning20the little empty box set on my desk.
I first heard about several cases of coronavirus(冠状病毒) infection in January, but I did not expect the outbreak to affect the rest of the world. Starting in March, it was1that we should take all the final exams online. It was unexpected, and all university staff and students were2.
Due to the disease, most of the school events have been3to be held online. I have had a lot more4time than before. To5time, I learned to follow recipes(食谱)to make6dishes. The period of quarantine (隔离) has become a7that I can learn some new life skills. Besides cooking, I have been 8a new hobby—playing puzzles. At first, solving a puzzle was just a way for me to9endurance and patience. Then I realized that I learned much more than that. When I101,000 pieces of a puzzle on the table, I11not buying a simpler one. I suddenly realized how12I was that I couldn't even focus on such a simple task. However, during that time, playing puzzles13me how to enjoy simple tasks while staying away from electronic devices and how to solve problems with shortcuts.
14, I slowly forgot all the madness and boredom of quarantine life. Every time I got one piece in the right place, I was mentally15by such a minor success and16to keep on solving. The touch from my fingertips made me enormously17. It was surprising and unexpected for me to receive so much 18from focusing on solving puzzles. I19you to put your devices away when you want to improve your mood and relieve stress, and try20instead!
Mike was an 11-year-old boy. His father 1 as a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker. Although Mike's family wasn't a 2 one, they led a happy life.
Mike's 3 was coming up in a week. He asked his father to 4 him a bicycle, so that he could cycle to school instead of walking or 5 his father to drop him off. His father 6.
On his birthday, the boy woke up happily with his mother and father wishing him a happy birthday with smiles. Mike 7 that his father would gift him the bicycle. However, he was given a small gift wrapped nicely and was 8.
Inside, Mike saw a set of books, which was the 9 from his father. Although he was a little unhappy, he thanked his father.
Mike's father was rather 10 as he did not have enough money to buy a cycle. But he promised his son that he would buy him one soon.
After a week, while 11 on his way home from school, Mike saw a boy riding a cycle. Mike felt the cycle was too small for the 12 boy. Suddenly, the boy crashed into a post and 13 the cycle. Mike rushed to him and 14 him. He was a classmate of his called Sam.
Sam was 15 badly and there was no one near to help him except Mike. Mike helped Sam to sit in a corner and took his cycle and rushed to a nearby 16 to get help.
An ambulance came and carried Sam to the hospital. Mike then rushed to Sam's home and informed his parents.
Sam and his parents 17 Mike and Sam and Mike became close friends. Mike 18 Sam every day in hospital until he recovered.
Sam got a new cycle and he came to know that Mike didn't 19 a cycle. He gave his old cycle to Mike and with Mike's parents' permission, Mike 20 the gift from Sam.
On the side of love
I woke up at midnight and was unable to get back to sleep. Then I1the living room to watch a little television. The news on TV didn't2 me at all. So I3a book and tried to read but could feel my eyelids getting heavier and heavier. A short4would be just what I needed
After a while I5something awaking me from my sleep. It was warm6hitting me right in the face. I slowly7my eyes and saw a long, sweet looking8covered in white and gold fur. Its pink nose was breathing on me and its big, brown eyes were looking at me with9. I smiled and said," Hello Fluffy".10my face was covered in dog11while his curled tail wagged joyfully. I12his neck, petted his head, scratched his belly, and laughed as he continued to13me with his love. I thought to myself: "If only we humans could love each other as purely and unconditionally as our14love us, what a15world this would be."
Dogs are our best friends and greatest16of love. We should not17the lessons they teach. We should live our lives on the side of love. We should spend our days creating18and making this world a19place. We should see everyone20how they look or what they believe as our brothers and sisters. We should love ourselves and everyone else.
