高三英语美文赏析-1.docxVIP

1Five years later, I did the hardest job of my life when Tom lost his battle with cancer. I had to tell my children that the grandfather they adored was gone. I had to explain that Tom wouldnt be coming home from the hospital. How do you tell preschoolers (幼童) that news? I said the words as kindly as I could, with my arms wrapped tightly around them. Tom had been a good man; an excellent man. There were few in the community who didnt know of someone who hadnt been done a good turn by him. Random strangers arrived at the funeral ceremonies and told us their stories. Many had been unheard by the family until that day. He taught me how to ride a bike, smiled one lady in her sixties. I was terrified and my father had given up trying. Tom brought me to a quiet, flat lane and kept encouraging me until I managed it.My mother-in-law recalled the number of times Tom had arrived home on Christmas Eve to announce that shed need to make the turkey stretch (增量) to another plate or two. He couldnt bear to think of someone spending Christmas alone. Hed issue invitations to the most unlikely characters, but it always made for an entertaining dinner table.A beautiful wreath (花圈) and letter arrived from a woman Tom had mentored (指导) early in her career and treated like his own daughter. I could understand her grief and fond memories. Id felt he was my extra father, too.Toms sons have been asked to take their fathers role in local charity work, but nobody is ready to sit in his chair at the table. Between them, his family coaches local football teams, cares for seriously ill relatives, and give many hours to their communities. As for me, Ill teach my children to honor Toms memory by volunteering themselves. Weve already cleaned our local beach and weve replaced rubbish with trees and flowers. I understand now that anybody can make a difference, if they have an open heart. 2My thirteen-year-old daughter Lisa remembers birthdays, makes people cards when they are sick, and sends encoura