阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。With a birthday usually comes a party, as well as a cake, presents and wishes from friends. But beyond these, what does a birthday 1 mean?
One year I spent my birthday alone in a completely new place. Calls and messages poured in as usual.2 , I was uncertain what to do. I had nowhere to go, nor did I know anyone with whom I could go out and share the 3 of the event.
At that moment, my mother called me, asking, "What are you 4 for your birthday?"
"I'm not sure, Mum. There's 5 here," I said in a low voice.
"You don't always need a lot of people for your birthday. Just follow your heart and make this day yours." What Mum said made me feel less 6 .
Then I picked up a book and lost myself in it, with music on. I did exactly as my mother told me and 7 "my own day". Unexpectedly, I got connected with my inner self. It was a 8 but satisfying day. I realized for the first time that I had fully grown-from the preschool child who shared chocolate with the whole class on my birthday to someone who could now 9 it with myself.
When I lay in bed that night, I remembered my mother's words. "You came into our lives this day," she said. Her voice was filled with joy and 10 for the coming of my life. And indeed, that is the true 11 of birthday celebrations-the valuable gift of life itself.
I spent a birthday 12 a party. It made me realize the spirit of birthday itself.
