送給摯愛的母親（三）
Growing Old and Gray
When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus, carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.
When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. You thanked her by saying, “It's none of your business.”
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future. You thanked her by saying, “I don't want to be like you.”
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment. You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
When you were 24, she met your fiancéand asked about your plans for the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, “Muuhh-ther, please!”
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You thanked her by telling her, “Things are different now.”
When you were 40, she called to remind you of an relative's birthday. You thanked her by saying you were “really busy right now”.
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by talking about the burden parents become to their children.
And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder. “Rock me baby, rock me all night long.” “The hand who rocks the cradle…… may rock the world”.
Let us take a moment of the time just to pay tribute and show appreciation to the person called MOM though some may not say it openly to their mother. There's no substitute for her. Cherish every single moment. Though at times she may not be the best of friends, may not agree to our thoughts, she is still your mother!
Your mother will be there for you; to listen to your woes6）, your brags7）, your frustrations, etc. Ask yourself “Have you put aside enough time for her, to listen to her 'blues' of working in the kitchen, her tiredness?”
Be tactful, loving and still show her due8） respect, though you may have a different view from hers. Once gone, only fond memories of the past and also regrets will be left.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Love her more than you love yourself. Life is meaningless without her.
年華漸增
你19歲時，她為你支付大學的學費，開車送你去學校，幫你提包裹行李。而你對她的感恩回報，就是在宿舍門外匆匆說再見，為的是你不致于在朋友面前感到丟人。
你20歲時，她問你是否在和別人約會。而你對她的感恩回報，就是對她說：“這不關你的事！”
你21歲時，她為你將來從事什么職業提出一些建議。而你對她的感恩回報，就是對她說：“我才不愿像你那樣！”
你22歲時，她在你大學畢業典禮上緊緊擁抱你。而你對她的感恩回報，就是問她能否掏錢讓你去歐洲旅行。
你23歲時，她為你的第一套公寓置辦家具。而你對她的感恩回報，就是告訴朋友說這些家具非常難看。
你24歲時，她見到了你的未婚夫，問你們將來有什么打算。而你對她的感恩回報，就是對她怒目而視，大聲吼叫：“媽……，求求你別煩了！”
你25歲時，她花錢幫你籌辦婚禮，對你哭訴著說她是多么地深愛著你。而你對她的感恩回報，就是把家安得離她遠遠的。
你30歲時，她打來電話為寶寶撫養提出忠告。而你對她的感恩回報，就是告訴她：“現在情況和以前不同了！”
你40歲時，她打電話提醒你別忘了一個親戚的生日。而你對她的感恩回報，就是說你“現在忙得不可開交”。
你50歲時，她生病了需要你照顧。而你對她的感恩回報，就是念叨著父母成為了子女的負擔。
后來，有一天，她靜悄悄地去了。所有那些你該做而未做的事，仿佛炸雷般在你耳邊轟隆而過。“搖啊搖，小寶寶，一搖搖到大天亮。”“搖搖籃的手啊……可以搖世界。”
讓我們花一點點時間，對那個被我們叫做“媽”的人表達敬意和感激之情，雖然有些人當著面說不出口。她是不可替代的。珍惜與她在一起的每一時刻吧。雖然有時候，她可能不是我們最好的朋友，可能不同意我們的想法，但她依然是你的媽媽！
你的媽媽始終陪伴你身邊，聽你傾訴傷心事，聽你神吹海侃，聽你訴說受挫的沮喪……捫心自問，“是否曾經抽出過足夠的時間陪伴她，聽聽她講圍著灶臺轉的'煩心事'，聽聽她講她有多疲憊？”
即使你與她意見不一，也要委婉一些，充滿愛心，對她表示出應有的尊敬。一旦她去了，剩下的就只有對過去歲月的美好回憶和無盡的遺憾。
不要以為，與你心最近，你就理所應得。愛她要甚于愛你自己。沒有了她，生命將毫無意義。
1. wail vi. 哀號，嚎啕
2. banshee n. （愛爾蘭和蘇格蘭民間傳說中的）女妖精（其顯形或哀嚎預示家庭中將有人死亡）
3. crayon n. 有色粉筆，蠟筆
4. plop vi. 撲通落下
5. becoming adj. 合適的，適當的
6. woe n. 悲哀
7. brag n. 吹牛
8. due adj. 應得的
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