On the first day of school our teacher introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

    I turned around to find a little old lady with a warm smile. She said, “Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old.”

    “Why are you in university at such a YOUNG age?” I asked. She replied, “I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of kids, and then retire and travel.”

    I knew she was joking. I was curious what might have encouraged her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

    “I always dreamed of having a university education and now I'm getting one!” she told me. We became friends. Every day we would talk nonstop after class. I always enjoyed listening to this “time machine” as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. And Rose easily made friends wherever she went.

    At the end of the term we invited Rose to make a little speech. She cleared her throat(喉咙) and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. I've learned a few secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.”

    “There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity(机会) in change...”

根据材料内容，选择最佳答案。

    As the fifth of seven children, I went to the same public school as my three elder sisters and brother. Every year, each child from the third grade took part in an old school tradition—the plant sale held in early May, just before Mother's Day.

    That year I was old enough to take part in it. I wanted to surprise my mother, but I didn't have any money. I told my elder sister about it and she gave me some money. When I arrived at the plant sale, I carefully chose my favorite. I watched each plant seriously to make sure that I could find the best geranium(天竺葵). After school, with the help of my sister I bid it on the neighbor's porch(门廊). On Mother's Day, I remember how bright my mother's eyes were and how elated she was at my gift.

    The year I was fifteen, my younger sister reached the third, grade. She told me that, she wanted to surprise our mother. Like my elder sister did for me, I gave her some money. And she bought the same gift and we hid it in the same place. When she gave the gift to my mother, I watched them full of pride and happiness. My mother noticed me watching and gave me a soft and secret smile. With a shock at my heart, I smiled back.

    I wonder how my mother could pretend (假装) to be surprised at the same sixth child, but as I watched her eyes, I knew she was not pretending.