A strong wind was blowing hard, thunder was rumbling（雷声隆隆地响）, and lightning flashed across the dark sky. Rain was 1 down; it looked as if heaven had been broken open.

    Gleams（闪光）of light appeared from windows of faraway houses, 2 like jewels in all the dark.

    A 3 woman dressed in rags and trembling with cold was 4 on a lonely road, while the merciless rain was 5 her without pause.

    She knocked at a door, and a 6 answered it. She begged him to let her stay a while 7. The boy then let her into the sitting room and 8 her sitting by the fire.

    The woman 9 old and tired under the bright electric light, 10she was only in her early thirties. She sat 11 for a moment, and then her eyes began to look about the 12. When her wandering eyes rested on the picture of a young man, she 13 up, looking thunderstruck（大吃一惊）.

    Just then, the boy came with his14. The man at once recognized the woman as his 15. They had 16 touch with each other during the war, and he thought he had lost her forever. 17words needed to be spoken. They ran into each other's arms 18the boy stared at them, puzzled.

    The storm was over and the sky cleared. Feeling very 19, the couple stood face to face with their child between them, watching the rain as it gradually 20.

    Hiking through the mountains of Colorado was never my plan. I wanted to take1at Yale University but I abruptly (意外地) decided to explore the great outdoors of the American West with an adventure program. Before I knew it, Chicago and my comfort zone were being left behind and2mountains and sand dunes (沙丘).

    On the morning of June 27, I was3by a burst of sunshine. I 4slowly but suddenly realized I was not in Chicago anymore. I was in a5in the middle of nowhere in Colorado. I was going to have to6my three tent mates. I tiredly took my clothes and hid behind a large bush to7. It was soon time to 8 ourselves to everyone at camp. Everyone seemed pretty friendly, but why didn't I feel a little9? I was starting to10not having chosen a roommate at Yale.

    After a quick 11, we made our way to the Great Sand Dunes.  12 it as the Egyptian capital of Colorado,” said my camp leader. Egypt in Colorado? Now things were really starting to become13. When we arrived, we were stroked by endless amounts of14. Brief thoughts of being15 by sand monsters came before me. My16increased when my camp leader told us, “Today, we are going to climb to the top of the Dunes.”

    Three hours later, I was out of breath17I made it to the top. Suddenly, I felt the18was worth it.

The next two weeks flew by. I met19that tested my survival skills, but I pushed through every one of them. I was glad that I had somehow developed a new sense of20.

    This happened several weeks ago. On my way to work, I accidentally got on the wrong bus because I was1the news on my phone. I had to2and walk several blocks to work, a path I had never taken.

    I met a man sitting on a bench looking very 3 so I asked him what was wrong. He said his4had been dragged away (拖走) from a public lot and that he had no5to get to the airport to meet his wife. I told him that I could help him out and let him6there.

    I went to the7one block away and got cash. When I returned, the man was standing there, watching me8him. When I gave him the cash, he hugged me, thanked me, and started9!I nearly cried, too. I wished him to get to the airport safely, explained10he could take public transport to get there, and then continued to go to my office.

    I11at my usual restaurant for a to go (带走的) breakfast and, at the door, I met another man who12said, “Excuse me, sir. I don't want your money,13could you please help me get some food?” I said, “Of course, please come with me. ” I 14my breakfast and paid for this man's order. I15him a wonderful day.

    As you may16I was so thankful for putting 17on the wrong bus at the right time. This let me18two people who needed help and19. During each meeting, I never felt afraid; I only felt20to help them.

    Two years ago, my husband bought me a bicycle. If you live in a town, it is often faster than a car and you don't have to 1 about parking. You can 2it anywhere. As it has a seat at the back and a basket at the front, I can take my small daughter to school, to the library, shopping, 3in fact.

    I use it most in summer when the weather is warm and dry. It can be very unpleasant in winter when it is cold and the rain is 4 down. It can also be very 5. You must, of course, be careful on a bicycle. Accidents are not the only problem, though. One day I went shopping and came back to 6 my front wheel was missing. It was a long 7to bicycle shop! Now I have three strong locks.

    My husband uses my bicycle sometimes for short journeys. He says it is better than waiting for a bus. He still uses his 8for longer journeys, but I think that all this sitting down is making him 9 and lazy. On my bicycle I get a lot of 10 and fresh air, and this makes me feel a lot younger.

    It had been a long drive to the Veteran's hospital. My brother and I had gone to1my Dad who had been2days earlier, weak, sick and confused. The3had diagnosed him with pneumonia(肺炎) and found cancer cells in his brain. My Dad looked so4lying there in bed. It wasn't just the5that was getting to him. It was also being so6his family and friends.

    As I sat by his7, a little woman with a big smile8into his room. She was at least 80 years old but seemed to have the9of someone 60 years younger. She was a volunteer10handmade get-well cards from the local elementary school. Gently, she took my Dad's hand and thanked him for his service to our country. It was the first time since he had gotten11that I saw my Dad smile. I12her into the hallway as she left and13her for lifting my Dad's14. "I am just sharing a little15, sweetie," she said with a smile as she walked into the next16room to share a little more.

    That 80-year-old angel reminded me again of what is17in this life: sharing our love. When we share our love, we create18not only in the hearts of those19us, but in our own hearts as well. When we share our love, we find ourselves doing what we were always20to do. When we share our love, we make our souls lighter, our lives brighter and the world better.