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Power in Gratitude
·Meade·
When my older son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder，my first reaction was relief-I finally knew the reason for his behavior. However，I was also overwhelmed with sadness，fear and anger. I felt sorry for my son and for myself. Like many others in similar circumstances，my question to God was “Why me?”
Through the grace of God，I am now able to focus on my gratitude. I believe God chose me to raise my son because He knew that I would give him the best I have. He will teach me to love and understand him for who he is. I am grateful that I have my son，and grateful that God chose me to be his mother.
There is power and healing in gratitude.
How can gratitude help us in our everyday lives as moms? Think about the difference you can make in your family’ s life just by noticing and being thankful for all the great things they do. When you express gratitude，you show your love and appreciation. Everyone needs to feel these things every day. Sometimes as moms we feel that no one appreciates us-and it is true that moms are usually last on the list to be thanked. One way you can teach gratitude is by example. Even on the days when it seems your children or husband are doing everything wrong，find a reason to thank them. Take the time and energy to look for the good. Think about the things that your family does that deserve a “Thank you”. You might say to your husband， “Thank you for working so hard for our family，” or，to your child， “I really appreciate your sense of humor-it feels good to laugh.” Expressing your gratitude helps family members to understand how it feels to be appreciated. And if they still don’ t catch on，let them know when you feel unappreciated. You can also tell them how great it makes you feel when they do express gratitude.
Gratitude is a wonderful motivator when you need cooperation. When enlisting the help of my two year old，I praise him often and with enthusiasm. I let him know that he is a great helper. I know I am teaching him appreciation because he expresses it to me. The other day I brought a bunch of multicolored roses home. For five days，at least once or twice a day，my son thanked me for the flowers.
Sometimes we get so busy and caught up in daily life that we forget to be grateful. We expect everyone to do their share without being asked. The only time anyone hears anything is when a chore has not been completed. This attitude，over the long haul，will develop very resentful and uncooperative family members.
When life is good，gratitude is easy. It becomes more challenging to be grateful when we are experiencing hard times. Financial hardship，long-term illness，the death of a loved one and marital strife can all be trying and difficult. It is hard to find anything to be grateful for. But while pain is inevitable，suffering is optional. We have a choice in how we view our circumstances. We can turn our hearts to God and trust that he has a plan for us. We can be thankful for the lessons we learn and the opportunities for personal growth and transformation. Look at all the people in this world who share the gifts they received during especially difficult times of their life. It is the painful times of my life that have made me stronger，wiser，and more loving today.
I recently attended a powerful seminar on the various levels of energy that a human being emanates. The presenter identified seven different levels of energy. The first level of energy is defined by feelings of apathy and thoughts of victimization. A person at a level two energy has feelings of anger and thoughts of conflict. As a person moves up the energy scale，their feelings and thoughts are more positive. At level seven，one would experience unconditional love and no judgmental thoughts. Only God radiates at level seven. The average person emits energy at a level of 2.5. To experience peace and joy，an individual must raise his energy level to 5or 6.
So how can we raise our energy level and open our heart to joy? One powerful way is to develop an attitude of gratitude. Look at everyone with grateful eyes. Listen to your heart and the heart of your loved ones. Speak words of affirmation every day of your life. Be grateful for your life with all its lessons and blessings. The more grateful thoughts and feelings you experience and express the more instrumental you will be in healing the world. And your outlook on life will improve in the process.
感恩的力量
米 德
当我的大儿子被确诊为 “注意力缺陷多动症” 时，我的第一反应就是放松--我终于知道他那些行为举止的原因所在了。然而，我也陷入了悲伤、畏惧和愤怒的深渊。我既为儿子也为我自己感到难过。像其他很多处于相似境况的人一样，我也禁不住要问上帝： “为什么是我？”
由于上帝的恩惠，我现在可以把心思集中在感恩上了。我相信，上帝选择我来养育我的儿子，是因为他相信我会把我最好的东西给予儿子。上帝教导我去爱、去理解儿子的一切。我很感激上帝选择我做儿子的母亲。
感恩的力量和疗伤的作用是不可忽视的。
作为母亲，感恩在日常生活中又能如何帮助我们呢？通过注意和感谢家人所做的一切好的事情，想想你能为家庭生活带来什么变化。当你表示感恩的时候，你的爱心和感激也就表露无遗。每人每天都需要这些感受。作为母亲，有时候会感到没有人感激我们--事实也是如此，母亲总是最后一个被感谢的人。你传授感恩的一个方法就是自己树立榜样。即便有一天你的孩子和丈夫把所有的事情都搞错了，你也要找个理由感谢他们。你可以花些时间和精力，寻找他们做得好的地方。想想你的家人所做的事情，哪些值得你说一句 “谢谢” 。你可以对丈夫说一句： “谢谢你为我们的家努力工作。” 或者对孩子说， “我非常欣赏你的幽默感--笑一笑真好。” 表达你的感激会帮助你的家人理解被他人感激的心情。如果他们还是无法领悟，那就在你需要感激的时候提醒他们。你也可以告诉他们，当他们向你表达感激时，带给你的美好感受。
在你需要合作的时候，感激之情就是一股巨大的推动力。当我获得我两岁儿子的帮助时，我经常满怀激情地表扬他。我要让他知道他帮了我很大的忙。我知道，因为他要感激我，所以我就要教他学会感激。几天前，我带回家一束颜色各异的玫瑰花，一连五天，他几乎每天都要说几次谢谢。
有时，我们过于繁忙，忙于芜杂的生活琐事，连感激都忘记了。我们期望每个人都能够自觉地尽职尽责。这种态度，日积月累，在家人之间就会发展为抱怨与不和。
生活安稳的时候，表达感激就会很简单。但是，当我们面对艰辛的生活时，表达感激就很难了。经济困难，长期疾病，亲人过世和婚姻纠纷都可能让人心烦，给生活带来困难。这时候，甚至连找一个感激的理由都很难。虽然痛苦无法避免，但我们有权选择是否接受痛苦，有权选择我们该如何看待我们周围的环境。我们可以相信上帝，相信上帝会给我们做好安排的。我们感激已有的经验教训，感激给个人成长和变化的机遇。看看大千世界中的芸芸众生，他们在生活的艰难中获得了礼物。正是生活中的那些痛苦时期让我更加坚强，更加聪明，更加热爱今天！
最近，我参加了一个很有影响的研讨班，讨论的主题是人类产生的多级能量。与会者把能量分成了七级。第一级能量是根据冷漠的感情和牺牲他人的思想而定义的；第二级能量的人怀有愤怒的感情和对抗的思想。人的能量级别越高，他的感情和思想也就越积极。在第7级别，人就会获得自由的爱和辩证的思想。只有上帝才能达到第7级。人类平均拥有的能量级别为2.5级。要想拥有和平和欢乐，个人的能量级别必须达到5级或6级。
那么我们该如何提高我们的能量级别呢？该如何敞开胸怀拥抱欢乐呢？一个有效的方法就是养成感激的态度。看看那些感激的眼神，聆听你的内心和你所爱的人的内心的声音，每天说些肯定的话，感激你生命中所拥有的教训和祝福。你拥有的感激的思想和感情越多，你对社会的作用就越大，你对生命的见解也就越深。
实战提升篇
核心单词
diagnose v. 诊断
overwhelm v. 战胜；征服；压倒
notice n. 公告，通知，贴示
marital adj. 婚姻的；夫妻的
emanate v. (气体等) 发出，散发；放射
conflict n. 冲突，抵触，分歧v. 矛盾，冲突
radiate v. (光、热等) 散发，辐射；显出
instrumental adj. 可作为手段的；有帮助的
实用句型
The first level of energy is defined by feelings of apathy and thoughts of victimization.
第一级能量是根据冷漠的感情和牺牲他人的思想而定义的。
(1) 这是一个被动句，be defined by……由（以）……而定义的。
(2) think of想到，考虑，类似的表达还有think about考虑；think over仔细考虑等固定搭配。
翻译行不行
1. 她正在寻找丢失的孩子。（look for）
2. 这首歌很好，我认为它会很快流行起来的。（catch on）
3. 你不管怎样该给个答复吧。（at least）
My Life Was Saved by a Smile
·Tracy Anderson·
I was sure that I was to be killed. I became terribly nervous. I fumbled in my pockets to see if there were any cigarettes，which had escaped their search. I found one and because of my shaking hands，I could barely get it to my lips. But I had no matches，they had taken those.
I looked through the bars at my jailer. He did not make eye contact with me. I called out to him， “Have you got a light?” He looked at me，shrugged and came over to light my cigarette.
“As he came close and lit the match，his eyes inadvertently locked with mine. At that moment，I smiled. I don’ t know why I did that. Perhaps it was nervousness，perhaps it was because，when you get very close，one to another，it is very hard not to smile. In any case，I smiled. In that instant，it was as though a spark jumped across the gap between our two hearts，our two human souls. I know he didn’ t want to，but my smile leaped through the bars and generated a smile on his lips，too.”
He lit my cigarette but stayed near，looking at me directly in the eyes and continuing to smile. I kept smiling at him，now aware of him as a person and not just a jailer. And his looking at me seemed to have a new dimension too.
“Do you have kids?” he asked. “Yes，here，here.” I took out my wallet and nervously fumbled for the pictures of my family. He，too，took out the pictures of his family and began to talk about his plans and hopes for them. My eyes filled with tears. I said that I feared that I’ d never see my family again，never have the chance to see them grow up. Tears came to his eyes，too.
Suddenly，without another word，he unlocked my cell and silently led me out. Out of the jail，quietly and by back routes，out of the town. There，at the edge of town，he released me. And without another word，he turned back toward the town.
My life was saved by a smile. Yes，the smile-the unaffected，unplanned，natural connection between people. I really believe that if that part of you and that part of me could recognize each other，we wouldn’ t be enemies. We couldn’ t have hate or envy or fear.
一个微笑挽救了一条生命
特雷西·安德森
一想到自己明天就没命了，不禁陷入极端的惶恐之中。我翻遍了口袋，终于找到一支没被他们搜走的香烟，但我的手紧张地不停发抖，连将烟送进嘴里都成了问题，而我的火柴也在搜身时被拿走了。
我透过铁栏望着外面的警卫，他并没有注意到我在看他，我叫了他一声： “能跟你借个火吗？” 他转头望着我，耸了耸肩，然后走了过来，点燃我的香烟。
当他帮我点火时，他的眼光无意中扫过我的脸，这时我突然冲着他微笑。我不知道自己为何有这般反应，也许是过于紧张，或者是当你如此靠近一个人时，很难不对他微笑。不管是出于什么理由，我对他笑了。就在这一刹那，这抹微笑如同火花般，打破了我们心灵间的隔阂。受到了我的感染，他的嘴角也不自觉地现出了笑容，虽然我知道这并不是他的原意。
他点完火后并没立刻离开，两眼盯着我看，脸上仍带着微笑。我也以笑容回应，仿佛他是我的朋友，而不是守着我的警卫。他看着我的眼神也少了当初的那股凶气。
“你有小孩吗？” 他开口问道。
“有，你看。” 我拿出了皮夹，手忙脚乱地翻出了我的全家福照片。他也掏出了照片，并且开始讲述他对家人的期望与计划。这时我眼中充满了泪水，我说我害怕再也见不到家人。我害怕没机会看着孩子长大。他听着也流下了两行热泪。
突然间，他二话不说地打开了牢门，悄悄地带我从后面的小路逃离了监狱，出了小镇，就在小镇的边上，他放了我，之后便转身往回走，不曾留下一句话。
一个微笑居然能救自己一条命。是的，微笑是人与人之间最自然真挚的沟通方式。如果我们能用心灵去认识彼此，世间不会有结怨成仇的憾事；恨意、妒忌、恐惧也就不复存在了。
实战提升篇
核心单词
terribly adv. 可怕地；很，非常
inadvertently adv. 不慎地；非故意地
generate v. 产生，发生；造成，引起
fumble v. 乱摸；摸索
release v. 释放，解放；放松，松开
envy n. 妒忌；羡慕
实用句型
I said that I feared that I’ d never see my family again，never have the chance to see them grow up.
我说我害怕再也见不到家人。我害怕没机会看着孩子长大。
(1) 这里的I’ d是I would 的省略形式。
(2) see后用不带to的不定式，类似的词还有help；suggest；hope等。
翻译行不行
1. 他们从南方远道来看我。（come over）
2. 医生已拨掉了我的坏牙。（take out）
3. 积雪的山上挤满了年轻的滑雪者。（fill with）
The Price of a Miracle
·Jennifer Roberts·
Tess was eight years old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother，Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn’ t have the money for both the doctor bills and the house payment.
Only a very costly surgery could save her brother now and it was looking like there was no one to loan them the money. She heard her Dad say to her Mom， “Only a miracle can save him now.
Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. She counted it three times. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap，she slipped out from the back door and made her way 6blocks to Rexall’ s Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
Tess waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too intently talking to another man to be bothered by an eight year old at this moment. She twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.
Nothing.
She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good.
Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’ m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’ t seen in ages.” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
“Well，I want to talk to you about my brother.” Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone， “He’ s really，really sick，and I want to buy a miracle.”
“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.
“His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So，how much does a miracle cost?”
“We don’ t sell miracles here，little girl. I’ m sorry but I can’ t help you.” the pharmacist said，softening a little.
“Listen，I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’ t enough，I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.”
The pharmacist’ s brother stooped down and asked the little girl， “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?”
“I don’ t know.” Tess replied with her eyes welling up， “I just know he’ s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation，but my Daddy can’ t pay for it，so I want to use my money.”
“How much do you have?” asked the pharmacist’ s brother.
“One dollar and eleven cents.” Tess answered barely audiblely， “And it’ s all the money I have，but I can get some more if I need to.”
“Well，what a coincidence.” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven cents……the exact price of a miracle for little brother.” Then he said， “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’ s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.”
The pharmacist’ s brother was Dr. Carlton Armstrong，a surgeon from Chicago who specialized in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn’ t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Later，Mom and Dad were talking about the chain of events that had led them to this. Her mom said， “That surgery was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?” Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost……One dollar and eleven cents……plus the faith of a little child.
奇迹的价格
詹妮弗·罗伯茨
8岁的苔丝听爸爸妈妈谈论小弟弟安德鲁的事。她只知道弟弟病得很重，他们家钱都花光了。下个月他们就要搬到合住的公寓去了，因为爸爸已经没钱付弟弟的医疗费和房租了。
救治弟弟需要很昂贵的手术费用，而且也没人会借给他们钱。她听爸爸跟妈妈说： “现在只有奇迹能救他了。”
苔丝走进了自己房间，从壁橱里隐秘的地方找出一个装果冻的玻璃罐子。她把里面所有的零钱都倒在地板上，仔细地数了起来，一共数了三遍，数目必须得准确，这就不会有错了。
她小心翼翼地把硬币装回罐子，拧上盖子，然后悄悄从后门溜了出去，走了六个街区来到 “雷克索” 药店，这家药店的大门上挂着大大的印第安酋长的标志。
苔丝耐心地等着药剂师能接待她，可那时药剂师正忙着与另一个人说话，根本顾不上理这个8岁的孩子。她在地板上蹭着脚，摩擦出声。
没用。
她用她能发出的最让人恶心的声音清嗓子。还是没用。
最后她从罐子里拿出一个25分的硬币， “当” 的扔在玻璃柜台上。这回管用了！
“你想要什么？” 药剂师不耐烦地说： “我正在和我的弟弟说话，他从芝加哥来，我们好多年没见了。” 他不等回答就接着说。
“我想跟你说说我的弟弟。” 苔丝也同样不耐烦地答道， “他病得很重很重，我想买一个 ‘奇迹’ 。”
“你再说一遍？” 药剂师说。
“他叫安德鲁，他脑袋里长了个坏东西，我爸爸说现在只有奇迹能救他。那么， ‘奇迹’ 要多少钱？”
“我们这不卖 ‘奇迹’ ，小姑娘。对不起，我帮不了你。” 药剂师说，语气柔和了许多。
“听我说，我有钱买。如果这个不够，我会再给，你就告诉我要多少钱吧。”
药剂师的弟弟俯下身，问苔丝： “你弟弟需要什么样的奇迹？”
“我不知道，” 苔丝的泪水夺眶而出，回答说， “我只知道他病得非常厉害，妈妈说他需要手术，但是爸爸付不起手术费，所以我想用我的钱。”
“你有多少钱？” 药剂师的弟弟问。
“一块一毛一，” 苔丝回答的声音别人几乎听不到， “这是我所有的钱，但是如果需要，我还可以再弄点来。”
“真是巧啊，” 那人笑了。 “一块一毛一……正好是治你弟弟的 ‘奇迹’ 的价钱。” 然后他说， “带我去你家，我想看看你弟弟，见见你父母。咱们看看我有没有你所说的 ‘奇迹’ 。”
这个药剂师的弟弟是卡尔顿·阿姆斯特朗医生，芝加哥神经外科手术的专家。手术没要一分钱，没过多久，安德鲁就回家了，而且恢复得很好。后来，爸爸妈妈又谈起这件事的来龙去脉，妈妈说： “这个手术真是一个奇迹，它到底需要多少钱呢？” 苔丝笑了，她知道这个奇迹的确切价格是……一块一毛一，再加上一个孩子的信念。
实战提升篇
核心单词
completely adv. 完整地；完全地；彻底地
costly adj. 贵重的，宝贵的
pour v. 倒，灌，注
bother v. 烦扰，打搅
quarter n. 四分之一；一刻钟
stoop v. 屈身，弯腰
barely adv. 仅仅，勉强；几乎没有
faith n. 信念；信任，完全信赖
实用句型
The pharmacist’ s brother was Dr. Carlton Armstrong，a surgeon from Chicago who specialized in neuro-surgery.
药剂师的弟弟是卡尔顿·阿姆斯特朗医生，芝加哥神经外科手术的专家。
(1) 这里是由who 引导的定语从句。
(2) from 来自，也可说come from。
翻译行不行
1. 我8点在这里等你。（wait for）
2. 那点轻微的损坏并减低不了引擎的威力。（take from）
3. 他昨晚12点才回到家。（not until）
实战提升篇
The Roses from Heaven
·Henry Beecher·
Red roses were her favorites，her name was also Rose. And every year her husband sent them，tied with pretty bows. The year he died，the roses were delivered to her door. The card said， “Be my Valentine” ，like all the years before. Each year he sent her roses，and the note would always say， “I love you even more this year than last year on this day.” “My love for you will always grow，with every passing year.” She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought，he ordered roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away. He always liked to do things early，way before the time. Then，if he got too busy，everything would work out fine.
She trimmed the stems，and placed them in a very special vase. Then，sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face，she would sit for hours in her husband’ s favorite chair，while staring at his picture，and the roses sitting there. A year went by，and it was hard to live without her mate，with loneliness and solitude，that had become her fate. Then，the very hour，as on Valentines before，the doorbell rang，and there were roses，sitting by her door. She brought the roses in，and then just looked at them in shock. Then，went to get the telephone to call the florist shop，the owner answered and she asked him if he would explain，why would someone do this to her，causing her such pain? “I know your husband passed away，more than a year ago，” The owner said， “I knew you’ d call and you would want to know. The flowers you received today were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead，he left nothing to change. There is a standing order that I have on file down here，and he has paid，well in advance，you’ ll get them every year. There also is another thing that I think you should know. He wrote a special little card……he did it years ago. Then，should ever I find out that he’ s no longer here，that’ s the card……that should be sent to you the following year.” She thanked him and hung up the phone，her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking as she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card，she saw that he had written her a note. Then，as she stared in total silence，this is what he wrote…… “Hello，my love，I know it’ s been a year since I’ ve been gone，I hope it hasn’ t been too hard for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely，and the pain is very real. For if it were the other way，I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say，you were the perfect wife. You were my friend and lover，you fulfilled my every need. I know it’ s only been a year，but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy，even when you shed your tears. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years. When you get these roses，think of all the happiness that we had together and how both of us were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But，my love，you must go on，you have some living still. Please……try to find happiness，while living out your days. I know it is not easy，but I hope you find some ways. The roses will come every year and they will only stop when your door is not answered when the florist stops to knock. He will come five times that day，in case you have gone out. But after his last visit，he will know without a doubt to take the roses to the place where I’ ve instructed him. And place the roses where we are，together once again.”
来自天堂的玫瑰
亨利·比彻
罗丝最喜欢红玫瑰，她的名字也是玫瑰的意思。每年，丈夫都会送给她一些玫瑰花，花上系着漂亮的丝带。这一年，她丈夫去世了，玫瑰花却依然送到了她的门前，卡片上写着和往年一样的话语：做我的妻子吧！年年送花，他都写这样的话： “对你的爱今朝更胜往年，时光流转爱你越来越多。” 她想，今年的玫瑰一定是丈夫提前预定的。以后再也不会有玫瑰花了。她心爱的丈夫并不知道自己会逝去。他总是喜欢把事情提前安排妥当，以往即使再忙，凡事都能从容办好。
罗丝修整了花束，把玫瑰插进一只很特别的花瓶里，花瓶旁摆放着丈夫满面笑容的遗像。她在丈夫心爱的椅子里一坐就是几个小时，伴着玫瑰花，痴望着他的相片，沉浸在美好的回忆中。一年过去了，失去了丈夫的日子十分难熬，孤独和寂寞占据了她的生命。情人节前夕，门铃响了，有人送来了玫瑰花。她把花拿进来，非常惊讶。于是她打电话给花店， “是谁在恶作剧，为什么要惹我伤心？” 店主解释说： “我知道您的丈夫一年前去世了，也知道您会打电话来询问究竟。您今天收到的花，是您丈夫提前预订的。您丈夫总是提前做好计划，万无一失。他预付了货款，委托我们每年送花给您。还有一件事我想您应该知道，就在去年他还写了一张特别的小卡片，嘱咐着：如果他不在了，卡片就在第二年送给您。” 她谢过店主，挂上了电话，顿时泪如泉涌，手指颤抖着慢慢地打开了附在玫瑰花上的卡片。卡片里是一张写给她的便条。她静静地看着： “你好吗，我的妻子？我知道我已经去世一年了，我希望挺过这一年的你没有受太多的苦。我知道你一定很孤单，很痛苦。我们的爱使生活里的一切如此美好，任何语言都表达不了我对你的爱，你是完美的妻子，是我的朋友和情人，让我心满意足。时光只过去了一年，请不要悲伤，我要你即使流泪也是幸福的，这就是为什么年年都会送你玫瑰花的原因。当你收到玫瑰的时候，想想我们在一起时的快乐吧，我们曾经是多么幸福。我很爱你，我也会永远地爱你。但是，我的妻子，你一定要好好地活着啊！请……珍惜生命，追寻幸福吧。我知道那不容易，但是你一定要想想办法。玫瑰花每年都会如期而至，除非你不再应门，花店才会停止送花。那一天，花店的伙计会上门来访五次，以防你偶尔出门去了。但是，访问过五次之后，他就可以确认：这些花该送到我指示给他的另一个地方--我们重逢相聚的地方。”
实战提升篇
核心单词
deliver v. 投递；传送；运送
trim v. 修剪；整理
cause n. 原因；起因
silence n. 无声；沉默，默不作声
fulfill v. 执行 (命令等) ；服从；履行 (诺言等)
bless v. 为……祝福，为……祈神赐福；保佑
florist n. 花商；种花者
instruct v. 指示，命令，吩咐
实用句型
Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away.
她心爱的丈夫并不知道自己会逝去。
(1) 这里是由that 引导的宾语从句。
(2) pass away去世，类似的表达还有pass by经过；pass off消失等固定搭配。
翻译行不行
1. 仪仗队走在前面。 (in advance)
2. 我不再是个学生了。 (no longer)
3. 如果她回来了，请立刻告诉我。 (in case)
Forever Sisters
·Donald·
Today we are reading a story about two sisters. Their names were Sandy and Candy. They were very lonely. When their mother died，Sandy was only a junior high student，and Candy was an elementary school student. Their father was a gambler. He gambled nights and days and finally ended up in high debt. So，to avoid repaying the money，he ran away and left the two sisters behind.
At that time their mother had been dead for five years. After their father walked out on them，the two sisters could only stay at a friend’ s house，because their own house was given away to repay their father’ s debt. But the two sisters never feared hardship and did not lose hope for a better life. They lived their lives happily and actively.
The two sisters were both very hardworking. After school，Sandy，the elder sister，did everything she could to support the family. She sold newspapers and sometimes worked as a tutor to earn extra money. And Candy，the younger sister，prepared meals and did all the chores at home. Though the younger sister was small，she could manage money very well. The two sisters cared for each other. And their school grades were excellent.
Now，the two sisters are still in poverty. But their stories have touched a lot of people，and they help the two sisters in anyway they can. The landlord，the bathhouse keeper，the shop owners，their schoolmates and teachers in the same neighborhood are all looking after them. Poor as they are，they say they are the happiest persons in the world because they can be with each other every day.
永远的两姐妹
唐纳德
今天我们来读一个关于两姊妹的故事。两姊妹的名字叫珊蒂与坎蒂。她们非常寂寞。当她们的母亲去世时，珊蒂还只个是中学生，而坎蒂只是一个小学生。她们的父亲是一个赌徒，从早到晚只知道赌博，最后落得债台高筑，为了逃避赌债，他丢下两姊妹跑掉了。
那时母亲也已经去世五年了。父亲遗弃她们后，两姐妹只能住在朋友家，因为她们自家的房子已经拿去抵债了。但两姐妹不害怕艰辛，仍然对未来抱持着美好的希望，开朗快乐地过着每一天。
两姊妹都非常勤奋。珊蒂利用课余时间打工赚钱养家。她送报纸，有时做家教赚钱。妹妹坎蒂在家负责做饭、打扫等一切家事，她年纪虽小，却能掌管好金钱。两姐妹互相关心，两人在学校的成绩都很突出。
如今，她们依然贫困。但她们的故事感动了许多人，大家纷纷从各方面帮助她们。住在同一社区的房东、管澡堂的婆婆、商店老板，以及她们的同学和老师，都照顾着她们。虽然生活贫困艰辛，但对她们两人来说，每天都能在一起就是最大的幸福。
实战提升篇
核心单词
junior adj. 资浅的；晚辈的
elementary adj. 基本的；初级的
fear n. 害怕，恐惧
support v. 支撑，支托，扶持
extra adj. 额外的；外加的
实用句型
But their stories have touched a lot of people，and they help the two sisters in anyway they can.
但她们的故事感动了许多人，大家纷纷从各方面帮助她们。
(1) in anyway they can是省略了that的方式状语从句。
(2) a lot of许多，类似的表达还有lots of 许多的等。
翻译行不行
1. 你要是老这样花钱，总有一天要负债的。（end up）
2. 在婚礼上，新娘由其父亲交给新郎。（give away）
3. 你上班时谁来照料你的孩子? （look after）