送给挚爱的母亲（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.
年华渐增
你19岁时，她为你支付大学的学费，开车送你去学校，帮你提包裹行李。而你对她的感恩回报，就是在宿舍门外匆匆说再见，为的是你不致于在朋友面前感到丢人。
你20岁时，她问你是否在和别人约会。而你对她的感恩回报，就是对她说：“这不关你的事！”
你21岁时，她为你将来从事什么职业提出一些建议。而你对她的感恩回报，就是对她说：“我才不愿像你那样！”
你22岁时，她在你大学毕业典礼上紧紧拥抱你。而你对她的感恩回报，就是问她能否掏钱让你去欧洲旅行。
你23岁时，她为你的第一套公寓置办家具。而你对她的感恩回报，就是告诉朋友说这些家具非常难看。
你24岁时，她见到了你的未婚夫，问你们将来有什么打算。而你对她的感恩回报，就是对她怒目而视，大声吼叫：“妈……，求求你别烦了！”
你25岁时，她花钱帮你筹办婚礼，对你哭诉着说她是多么地深爱着你。而你对她的感恩回报，就是把家安得离她远远的。
你30岁时，她打来电话为宝宝抚养提出忠告。而你对她的感恩回报，就是告诉她：“现在情况和以前不同了！”
你40岁时，她打电话提醒你别忘了一个亲戚的生日。而你对她的感恩回报，就是说你“现在忙得不可开交”。
你50岁时，她生病了需要你照顾。而你对她的感恩回报，就是念叨着父母成为了子女的负担。
后来，有一天，她静悄悄地去了。所有那些你该做而未做的事，仿佛炸雷般在你耳边轰隆而过。“摇啊摇，小宝宝，一摇摇到大天亮。”“摇摇篮的手啊……可以摇世界。”
让我们花一点点时间，对那个被我们叫做“妈”的人表达敬意和感激之情，虽然有些人当着面说不出口。她是不可替代的。珍惜与她在一起的每一时刻吧。虽然有时候，她可能不是我们最好的朋友，可能不同意我们的想法，但她依然是你的妈妈！
你的妈妈始终陪伴你身边，听你倾诉伤心事，听你神吹海侃，听你诉说受挫的沮丧……扪心自问，“是否曾经抽出过足够的时间陪伴她，听听她讲围着灶台转的'烦心事'，听听她讲她有多疲惫？”
即使你与她意见不一，也要委婉一些，充满爱心，对她表示出应有的尊敬。一旦她去了，剩下的就只有对过去岁月的美好回忆和无尽的遗憾。
不要以为，与你心最近，你就理所应得。爱她要甚于爱你自己。没有了她，生命将毫无意义。
1. wail vi. 哀号，嚎啕
2. banshee n. （爱尔兰和苏格兰民间传说中的）女妖精（其显形或哀嚎预示家庭中将有人死亡）
3. crayon n. 有色粉笔，蜡笔
4. plop vi. 扑通落下
5. becoming adj. 合适的，适当的
6. woe n. 悲哀
7. brag n. 吹牛
8. due adj. 应得的
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