My grandma was very happy to see that I had turned into a strong young man when I went back to visit her. We chatted and recalled some events from my childhood. Half way through, my grandma sighed and said, "Maybe I'll never be able to see you again." I got a shock and gave her my arched-eyebrow inquiries, not knowing what made her say something so disturbing. We sat in silence for a while and my grandma's eyes filled with tears. She finally told me that the doctor said she had a serious heart problem and she had already suffered a few attacks. In spite of continuous treatment, her condition had not improved yet. I blamed my grandma for keeping the bad news from me and told her that there must be options. She shook her head. I reached over and tightened my arms around her, wishing that we could have more time together.
我回去看我外婆的时候,她非常高兴地看到我已长成一个健壮的小伙子。我们一起聊天，回忆我小时候的一些事情。谈到一半的时候，外婆突然叹了一口气说，"大概以后再也见不到你了。"她的话使我震惊得拱起了眉头， 不明白她为什么说出这么令人不安的话来。我们静静地坐了一会儿，外婆的眼里噙满泪水。她终于告诉我说，医生诊断出她得了严重的心脏病，已经发作了好几次，也一直在治疗，但情况一点也没有进展。我怪外婆一直把这坏消息瞒着我，并告诉她一定会有办法医治的，她却摇头否认。我伸出双臂抱着外婆，多么希望我们能在一起度过更多的时间。
One warm and pleasant summer afternoon, I sat on an old blanket under a pine tree chatting with my mother. For years, we had been coming to this park for family picnics and gatherings, and my mother and I often sat in this same spot.
一个温暖宜人的夏日午后，在一棵松树下，我坐在一张旧毯子上与母亲聊天。我们来这个公园进行家庭野餐和聚会，已有很多年了，而且我和母亲经常会坐在这同一个地方。close2RT In recent years, we usually just talked about life, but sometimes we recalled events from my childhood. Like the time I was thirteen and had my first date, when Mother brought me to this spot under the tree and told me about the facts of life. Or the time a few years later, when my hair turned out pink for my senior prom and she'd held me while I cried. But the most special event that occurred next to this tree was when I told Mother I was getting married. Tears filled her eyes and this time I held her while she cried. She told me she was sad to lose her little girl but happy to see that I had turned into a beautiful young woman.
近年来，我们一般只是谈谈生活，但有时也回忆起我的童年往事。比如我十三岁那年，第一次约会后，妈妈将我带到树下这个地方，给我讲解生理知识。又如几年以后，我的发型在高中毕业舞会显得不太合时宜，母亲让我在她怀中哭泣。但在这树下发生的最特别的事情，是我告诉母亲我要结婚了，当时她热泪盈眶。这次是她在我的怀里哭了。她说她很伤心，因为不再拥有那个小女孩，但她也很高兴看到我出落得成熟漂亮。close3RT Over the years, we'd watched the pine trees in this park grow tall and straight until their needles seemed to touch the clouds. Each year of their growth seemed to match our increasingly close relationship and the deepening love we had for each other.
年复一年，我们看着公园里的松树长得巍峨挺拔，直至高耸入云。松树年年增高，我们之间的关系也越发密切，对彼此的爱也越发深厚。close4RT On this particular sunny afternoon, Mother and I sat quietly breathing in the scent of freshly mown grass. She was unusually solemn and took me by surprise when she asked me, "Who will you bring here after I'm gone?"
在这个阳光明媚的下午，母亲和我静静坐着，呼吸着新剪的草散发出的清香。她的神情异常严肃，出乎意料地问我道："我死了以后，你会带谁来？"close5RT I gave her one of my arched-eyebrow inquiries, then smiled. After a few moments, when she didn't return my smile, I began to wonder what made her ask such a disturbing question. Mother picked up a blade of grass and began to shred it with her fingernail. I'd become well acquainted with my mother's habits, and this particular one indicated she had something serious on her mind.
我皱起了眉头，狐疑地看了她一眼，然后微微笑了。过了一会儿，她还没有回以微笑，我开始纳闷她为什么会提出这样一个令人不安的问题。母亲捡起一片草叶，开始用指甲将它划成碎片。我非常了解母亲的各种习惯，这个动作表明她有心事。close6RT For several minutes, we sat in silence gathering our thoughts. A couple of blue birds squawked nearby and an airplane flew overhead, but they didn't ease the awkward moment between us. Finally, I reached over and took my mother's hand in mine. "There's nothing you can't tell me, Mother," I said. "We will handle this together, like we always have."
有好几分钟的时间，我们静静地坐着，整理着自己的思绪。附近，几只蓝背樫鸟在嘎嘎叫着；头顶，一架飞机飞过，但这些并没有消除我们之间的尴尬。最后，我伸出手，握住了妈妈的手，"妈，什么事都可以跟我说的，"我说，"我们可以一起应付，就像以前一样。"close7RT She looked into my face, and her eyes filled with tears that spilt down her cheeks — cheeks that were alarmingly pale. Even before she said it, I knew what was coming. Mother was dying.
她凝视着我的脸，眼里噙着泪水，眼泪顺着苍白得吓人的脸颊流了下来。她还没开口，我就知道了：母亲将不久于人世了。close8RT I held her tightly while she told me that her heart condition was worsening and couldn't be repaired. I think I had known for quite a while but had not been willing to admit it to myself. She'd had several heart attacks and, a few years ago, even open-heart surgery. What I didn't know, and what she had kept from me, was that her condition wasn't improving. We talked about her option, which were few; we cried, held each other and wished for more time together.
我紧紧地抱着她，听她诉说：她的心脏病越来越严重了，已经无药可救了。我想这个情况我已经知道一段时间了，只是一直不愿面对。她的心脏病已经发作了好几次，几年前还做过开心手术。但有一点我一无所知，而且她也一直瞒着我，那就是她的情况毫无好转。我们讨论了一下她的治疗方案，其实也是寥寥无几。我们哭了，拥抱在一起，只愿能有更多的时间在一起。close9RT That was many years ago now. Mother died soon after that day, before my sons had a chance to know her. I still come to the park, but now I bring my boys. I still sit under that same sturdy pine tree on an old blanket and talk to my sons of family picnics, gatherings and the grandmother they never knew. Just as my mother did with me, I tell my children about their youthful funny behaviors and praise them for their accomplishments as young adults. We come to this special place to create our own memories — memories that I know would make my mother smile with pride.
这已经是很多年前的事了，那天以后没多久母亲就去世了，那时我的儿子们还没有出世。我仍然到公园来，不过现在是带着我的儿子们。我仍然会坐在那棵茁壮的松树下，坐在旧毛毯上，跟孩子们说起家庭野餐、聚会和他们没见过的外婆。就像妈妈当年对我一样，我会谈论他们年少时的滑稽举动，表扬他们长大后所取得的成就。我们来到这个特别的地方来编织属于自己的回忆——我知道，这些回忆一定会令母亲自豪地微笑。close10RT Not long ago my oldest son wanted to come to the park and talk, so we came and sat under our tree. He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, then he finally told me he was getting married. I cried tears of joy as my son hugged me — his hug a rare and special treat. I told him how proud I was of the man he had become.
不久前，大儿子要我去公园，他有话跟我说。我们去了，坐在我们的树下。他嗯嗯呀呀了好几分钟，终于告诉我他要结婚了。我流下了快乐的泪水，儿子拥抱着我，他的拥抱可是难得又特别的。我告诉他我是多么地为他的成长而骄傲。close11RT As I sat there that cool April afternoon soaking up the sun and the smell of freshly mown grass, I felt I had come full circle under this giant pine tree. Holding my son in my arms, I was happy for him, just the way I knew my mother had been happy for me all those years ago when I told her I was getting married.
在那个凉爽的四月午后，沐浴在阳光中，呼吸着新剪的青草味道，我坐在那里，觉得自己回到了原地，就在这棵巨大的松树下。我把儿子揽在怀中，为他感到高兴，我知道，多年前当我告诉母亲我要结婚时，她也一样为我高兴。close12RT Looking over my son's shoulder, I saw that several young pine trees had been planted recently. As these trees grow straight and tall, I thought, will the lives of my family continue to grow with them? I wanted to share this spot with my grandchildren, too.
从儿子的肩膀上方望去，我看到了几株最近新种的松苗。我想，当这些树长得高大挺拔之时，我的家人的生命也会跟它们一起延续不息吗？我希望我也能跟我的孙儿们分享这个地方。close13RT The branches above were swaying in the breeze and in them I heard a whispering voice: Who will you bring here when I'm gone? It was my mother's voice, and I tighten my arms around my son.
头顶的树枝在微风中摇曳，我听到耳语般的声音："我死了以后你会带谁来？"那是母亲的声音，我将儿子搂得更紧了。close
My grandma was very happy to see that I had turned into a strong young man when I went back to visit her. We chatted and recalled some events from my childhood. Half way through, my grandma sighed and said, "Maybe I'll never be able to see you again." I got a shock and gave her my arched-eyebrow inquiries, not knowing what made her say something so disturbing. We sat in silence for a while and my grandma's eyes filled with tears. She finally told me that the doctor said she had a serious heart problem and she had already suffered a few attacks. In spite of continuous treatment, her condition had not improved yet. I blamed my grandma for keeping the bad news from me and told her that there must be options. She shook her head. I reached over and tightened my arms around her, wishing that we could have more time together.
我回去看我外婆的时候,她非常高兴地看到我已长成一个健壮的小伙子。我们一起聊天，回忆我小时候的一些事情。谈到一半的时候，外婆突然叹了一口气说，"大概以后再也见不到你了。"她的话使我震惊得拱起了眉头， 不明白她为什么说出这么令人不安的话来。我们静静地坐了一会儿，外婆的眼里噙满泪水。她终于告诉我说，医生诊断出她得了严重的心脏病，已经发作了好几次，也一直在治疗，但情况一点也没有进展。我怪外婆一直把这坏消息瞒着我，并告诉她一定会有办法医治的，她却摇头否认。我伸出双臂抱着外婆，多么希望我们能在一起度过更多的时间。
1. 我们是好朋友，可他居然将这么大的一件事瞒着我，实在令我吃惊。（keep sth. from, take sb. by surprise）
2. 考试得不得一百分不要紧。重要的是别失去自信心。（matter, lose confidence in）
3. 昨天晚上他和我聊天，并安慰我说，这种病并不难治，还没人死于这种病。（chat with, assure, die of）
4. 她决心用钢铁般的意志来克服生活中的种种障碍。（determined, a will of iron, obstacle）
5. 事实是他早就收到我的钱了，却有意不给我回条确认。这实在让我气坏了。（turn out, acknowledge, drive sb. crazy）
6. 他是个害羞和沉静的男孩，在走上讲台叙述自己的经历之前，他悄悄地坐在礼堂的一角苦思冥想。 （gather one's thoughts）
7. 他当场承认他要出国留学，因为他相信国外的教育会给他将来的研究工作打开大门。（admit, spot, open doors / the door to）
8. 看到自己的侄女几年内就长成了一个美丽的姑娘，玛丽的叔叔的脸上满是笑容。（turn into, light up）
我回去看我外婆的时候,她非常高兴地看到我已长成一个健壮的小伙子。我们一起聊天，回忆我小时候的一些事情。谈到一半的时候，外婆突然叹了一口气说，"大概以后再也见不到你了。"她的话使我震惊得拱起了眉头， 不明白她为什么说出这么令人不安的话来。我们静静地坐了一会儿，外婆的眼里噙满泪水。她终于告诉我说，医生诊断出她得了严重的心脏病，已经发作了好几次，也一直在治疗，但情况一点也没有进展。我怪外婆一直把这坏消息瞒着我，并告诉她一定会有办法医治的，她却摇头否认。我伸出双臂抱着外婆，多么希望我们能在一起度过更多的时间。
One warm and pleasant summer afternoon, I sat on an old blanket under a pine tree chatting with my mother. For years, we had been coming to this park for family picnics and gatherings, and my mother and I often sat in this same spot.
一个温暖宜人的夏日午后，在一棵松树下，我坐在一张旧毯子上与母亲聊天。我们来这个公园进行家庭野餐和聚会，已有很多年了，而且我和母亲经常会坐在这同一个地方。close2RT In recent years, we usually just talked about life, but sometimes we recalled events from my childhood. Like the time I was thirteen and had my first date, when Mother brought me to this spot under the tree and told me about the facts of life. Or the time a few years later, when my hair turned out pink for my senior prom and she'd held me while I cried. But the most special event that occurred next to this tree was when I told Mother I was getting married. Tears filled her eyes and this time I held her while she cried. She told me she was sad to lose her little girl but happy to see that I had turned into a beautiful young woman.
近年来，我们一般只是谈谈生活，但有时也回忆起我的童年往事。比如我十三岁那年，第一次约会后，妈妈将我带到树下这个地方，给我讲解生理知识。又如几年以后，我的发型在高中毕业舞会显得不太合时宜，母亲让我在她怀中哭泣。但在这树下发生的最特别的事情，是我告诉母亲我要结婚了，当时她热泪盈眶。这次是她在我的怀里哭了。她说她很伤心，因为不再拥有那个小女孩，但她也很高兴看到我出落得成熟漂亮。close3RT Over the years, we'd watched the pine trees in this park grow tall and straight until their needles seemed to touch the clouds. Each year of their growth seemed to match our increasingly close relationship and the deepening love we had for each other.
年复一年，我们看着公园里的松树长得巍峨挺拔，直至高耸入云。松树年年增高，我们之间的关系也越发密切，对彼此的爱也越发深厚。close4RT On this particular sunny afternoon, Mother and I sat quietly breathing in the scent of freshly mown grass. She was unusually solemn and took me by surprise when she asked me, "Who will you bring here after I'm gone?"
在这个阳光明媚的下午，母亲和我静静坐着，呼吸着新剪的草散发出的清香。她的神情异常严肃，出乎意料地问我道："我死了以后，你会带谁来？"close5RT I gave her one of my arched-eyebrow inquiries, then smiled. After a few moments, when she didn't return my smile, I began to wonder what made her ask such a disturbing question. Mother picked up a blade of grass and began to shred it with her fingernail. I'd become well acquainted with my mother's habits, and this particular one indicated she had something serious on her mind.
我皱起了眉头，狐疑地看了她一眼，然后微微笑了。过了一会儿，她还没有回以微笑，我开始纳闷她为什么会提出这样一个令人不安的问题。母亲捡起一片草叶，开始用指甲将它划成碎片。我非常了解母亲的各种习惯，这个动作表明她有心事。close6RT For several minutes, we sat in silence gathering our thoughts. A couple of blue birds squawked nearby and an airplane flew overhead, but they didn't ease the awkward moment between us. Finally, I reached over and took my mother's hand in mine. "There's nothing you can't tell me, Mother," I said. "We will handle this together, like we always have."
有好几分钟的时间，我们静静地坐着，整理着自己的思绪。附近，几只蓝背樫鸟在嘎嘎叫着；头顶，一架飞机飞过，但这些并没有消除我们之间的尴尬。最后，我伸出手，握住了妈妈的手，"妈，什么事都可以跟我说的，"我说，"我们可以一起应付，就像以前一样。"close7RT She looked into my face, and her eyes filled with tears that spilt down her cheeks — cheeks that were alarmingly pale. Even before she said it, I knew what was coming. Mother was dying.
她凝视着我的脸，眼里噙着泪水，眼泪顺着苍白得吓人的脸颊流了下来。她还没开口，我就知道了：母亲将不久于人世了。close8RT I held her tightly while she told me that her heart condition was worsening and couldn't be repaired. I think I had known for quite a while but had not been willing to admit it to myself. She'd had several heart attacks and, a few years ago, even open-heart surgery. What I didn't know, and what she had kept from me, was that her condition wasn't improving. We talked about her option, which were few; we cried, held each other and wished for more time together.
我紧紧地抱着她，听她诉说：她的心脏病越来越严重了，已经无药可救了。我想这个情况我已经知道一段时间了，只是一直不愿面对。她的心脏病已经发作了好几次，几年前还做过开心手术。但有一点我一无所知，而且她也一直瞒着我，那就是她的情况毫无好转。我们讨论了一下她的治疗方案，其实也是寥寥无几。我们哭了，拥抱在一起，只愿能有更多的时间在一起。close9RT That was many years ago now. Mother died soon after that day, before my sons had a chance to know her. I still come to the park, but now I bring my boys. I still sit under that same sturdy pine tree on an old blanket and talk to my sons of family picnics, gatherings and the grandmother they never knew. Just as my mother did with me, I tell my children about their youthful funny behaviors and praise them for their accomplishments as young adults. We come to this special place to create our own memories — memories that I know would make my mother smile with pride.
这已经是很多年前的事了，那天以后没多久母亲就去世了，那时我的儿子们还没有出世。我仍然到公园来，不过现在是带着我的儿子们。我仍然会坐在那棵茁壮的松树下，坐在旧毛毯上，跟孩子们说起家庭野餐、聚会和他们没见过的外婆。就像妈妈当年对我一样，我会谈论他们年少时的滑稽举动，表扬他们长大后所取得的成就。我们来到这个特别的地方来编织属于自己的回忆——我知道，这些回忆一定会令母亲自豪地微笑。close10RT Not long ago my oldest son wanted to come to the park and talk, so we came and sat under our tree. He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, then he finally told me he was getting married. I cried tears of joy as my son hugged me — his hug a rare and special treat. I told him how proud I was of the man he had become.
不久前，大儿子要我去公园，他有话跟我说。我们去了，坐在我们的树下。他嗯嗯呀呀了好几分钟，终于告诉我他要结婚了。我流下了快乐的泪水，儿子拥抱着我，他的拥抱可是难得又特别的。我告诉他我是多么地为他的成长而骄傲。close11RT As I sat there that cool April afternoon soaking up the sun and the smell of freshly mown grass, I felt I had come full circle under this giant pine tree. Holding my son in my arms, I was happy for him, just the way I knew my mother had been happy for me all those years ago when I told her I was getting married.
在那个凉爽的四月午后，沐浴在阳光中，呼吸着新剪的青草味道，我坐在那里，觉得自己回到了原地，就在这棵巨大的松树下。我把儿子揽在怀中，为他感到高兴，我知道，多年前当我告诉母亲我要结婚时，她也一样为我高兴。close12RT Looking over my son's shoulder, I saw that several young pine trees had been planted recently. As these trees grow straight and tall, I thought, will the lives of my family continue to grow with them? I wanted to share this spot with my grandchildren, too.
从儿子的肩膀上方望去，我看到了几株最近新种的松苗。我想，当这些树长得高大挺拔之时，我的家人的生命也会跟它们一起延续不息吗？我希望我也能跟我的孙儿们分享这个地方。close13RT The branches above were swaying in the breeze and in them I heard a whispering voice: Who will you bring here when I'm gone? It was my mother's voice, and I tighten my arms around my son.
头顶的树枝在微风中摇曳，我听到耳语般的声音："我死了以后你会带谁来？"那是母亲的声音，我将儿子搂得更紧了。close
My grandma was very happy to see that I had turned into a strong young man when I went back to visit her. We chatted and recalled some events from my childhood. Half way through, my grandma sighed and said, "Maybe I'll never be able to see you again." I got a shock and gave her my arched-eyebrow inquiries, not knowing what made her say something so disturbing. We sat in silence for a while and my grandma's eyes filled with tears. She finally told me that the doctor said she had a serious heart problem and she had already suffered a few attacks. In spite of continuous treatment, her condition had not improved yet. I blamed my grandma for keeping the bad news from me and told her that there must be options. She shook her head. I reached over and tightened my arms around her, wishing that we could have more time together.
我回去看我外婆的时候,她非常高兴地看到我已长成一个健壮的小伙子。我们一起聊天，回忆我小时候的一些事情。谈到一半的时候，外婆突然叹了一口气说，"大概以后再也见不到你了。"她的话使我震惊得拱起了眉头， 不明白她为什么说出这么令人不安的话来。我们静静地坐了一会儿，外婆的眼里噙满泪水。她终于告诉我说，医生诊断出她得了严重的心脏病，已经发作了好几次，也一直在治疗，但情况一点也没有进展。我怪外婆一直把这坏消息瞒着我，并告诉她一定会有办法医治的，她却摇头否认。我伸出双臂抱着外婆，多么希望我们能在一起度过更多的时间。
1. 我们是好朋友，可他居然将这么大的一件事瞒着我，实在令我吃惊。（keep sth. from, take sb. by surprise）
2. 考试得不得一百分不要紧。重要的是别失去自信心。（matter, lose confidence in）
3. 昨天晚上他和我聊天，并安慰我说，这种病并不难治，还没人死于这种病。（chat with, assure, die of）
4. 她决心用钢铁般的意志来克服生活中的种种障碍。（determined, a will of iron, obstacle）
5. 事实是他早就收到我的钱了，却有意不给我回条确认。这实在让我气坏了。（turn out, acknowledge, drive sb. crazy）
6. 他是个害羞和沉静的男孩，在走上讲台叙述自己的经历之前，他悄悄地坐在礼堂的一角苦思冥想。 （gather one's thoughts）
7. 他当场承认他要出国留学，因为他相信国外的教育会给他将来的研究工作打开大门。（admit, spot, open doors / the door to）
8. 看到自己的侄女几年内就长成了一个美丽的姑娘，玛丽的叔叔的脸上满是笑容。（turn into, light up）
