那天是感恩節(jié)前一天------也是第一次我和我的三個(gè)孩子沒(méi)有在他們的父親的陪伴下度過(guò)，他早在幾個(gè)月前就走了。兩個(gè)年長(zhǎng)的孩子此時(shí)高燒發(fā)得很是厲害，而且最年長(zhǎng)那個(gè)孩子已經(jīng)臥床休養(yǎng)一個(gè)禮拜了。
It was a cool, gray day outside, and a light rain was falling. I grew wearier as I scurried around, trying to care for each child: thermometers, juice, diapers. And I was fast running out of liquids for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $2.50 -- and this was supposed to last me until the end of the month. That’s when I heard the phone ring.
外面天氣寒冷，天色灰暗而且還下著小雨。為了照顧到每一個(gè)孩子：體溫計(jì)、果汁、尿布，我忙得團(tuán)團(tuán)轉(zhuǎn)，感覺(jué)越來(lái)越累。給孩子們留著的飲料已經(jīng)所剩無(wú)幾。但當(dāng)我去查看我的錢包的時(shí)候，我只找到了2.5美元------而且這點(diǎn)錢只夠我維持到月底。正是在這個(gè)時(shí)候我聽(tīng)到電話鈴響了。
It was the secretary from our former church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the congregation. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by the church on my way to the market.
這是我們的前教區(qū)秘書(shū)打來(lái)的，她說(shuō)他們都很想念我們而且教會(huì)有禮物要贈(zèng)送給我們。我告訴她我正要打算去給孩子們買些果汁和湯，而且我會(huì)在去商店的路上順道去下教堂。
I arrived at the church just before lunch. The church secretary met me at the door and handed me a special gift envelope. “We think of you and the kids often,” she said, “and you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you.” When I opened the envelope, I found two grocery certificates inside. Each was worth $20. I was so touched and moved, I broke down and cried.
我剛好在午餐前趕到教堂。教堂秘書(shū)和我在門前相遇并遞給我一封特殊的信。“我們經(jīng)常想到你和你的孩子，”她說(shuō)，“你在我們的心里和祝福中。”當(dāng)我打開(kāi)信封，我發(fā)現(xiàn)里面有兩張雜貨店禮品券。每張都要值20美元。我被深深地打動(dòng)情不自禁地哭了出來(lái)。
“Thank you very much,” I said, as we hugged each other. “Please give our love and thanks to the church.” Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children.
“真是太感謝你了，”在我們擁抱的當(dāng)兒我說(shuō)到。“請(qǐng)把我們的愛(ài)和感謝轉(zhuǎn)達(dá)給教堂。”然后我駛向在我家附近的商店，給孩子們買了些最需要的東西。
At the check-out counter I had a little over $14.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier one of the gift certificates. She took it, then turned her back for what seemed like a very long time. I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, “This gift certificate is a real blessing. Our former church gave it to my family, knowing I’m a single parent trying to make ends meet.“
我買了將近14美元的食品，我把其中一張禮券遞給收銀員。她接過(guò)去以后轉(zhuǎn)身看了很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間。我想可能事情有點(diǎn)不太對(duì)勁。最后我說(shuō)，“這張禮券是一份真誠(chéng)的祝福。我們的前教會(huì)知道我是一個(gè)入不敷出的單親家長(zhǎng)就把這份禮券送給了我們?nèi)摇?rdquo;
The cashier then turned around, with tears in her loving eyes, and replied, “Honey, that’s wonderful! Do you have a turkey?”