I can honestly say it was the best of times and the worst of times. I was joyfully expecting my first
child at the same time that my mother was 1 her battle with a brain tumor (瘤). For ten years, my
fiercely independent and 2 mother had fought, but none of the treatments had been successful. 3 ,
she never lost her ability to smile. But now, finally, she became totally 4 -unable to speak, walk, eat or
dress on her own.
As she grew closer and closer to death, my 5 grew closer and closer to life inside me. My biggest
6 was that their lives would never connect. I was sad not only at the 7 loss of my mother, but that
she and my baby would never know each other. Her doctor did not 8 any hope; they told us her time
was up.
We brought Mother 9 to her own bed in her own house. As 10 as I could, I sat beside her and
talked to her about the baby moving inside me.
On February 3, 989, at about the same time my labor (分娩) 11 , Mother opened her eyes. When
they told me this at the 12 , I called her home, "Mom, listen. The baby is coming! You're going to have
a new grandchild!"
"Yes! Yes! I know!"
Four beautiful words! The first 13 words she'd spoken in months! When I 14 again an hour later,
the nurse at her house told the 15 message: Mom sat up, smiling, with her oxygen tubes removed.
When I brought Jacob home. Mom was sitting in her chair and 16 to welcome him. Tears of joy
blocked my vision as I 17 my son in her arms and she clucked (发出咯咯声) at him. They 18 .
Then she quietly clipped hack into a coma (昏迷) and 19 peacefully. Memories of my son's birth
will always be 20 for me, but it was then that I learned love has the power to overcome any worries
and any sorrow. And love can last forever. |
