Unchangeable Love

    One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a quiet1 of the splendid artwork.

    A young2 viewing the paintings ahead of me3 nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man's4for putting up with her5 stream of words. 6 by their noise, I moved on.

    I met them several times as I moved7 the various rooms of art. Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away8.

    I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a9 when the couple approached the10. Before they left, the man11into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He12 it into a long stick and then tapped his way into the13 to get his wife's jacket.

    “He's a14 man.” the clerk at the counter said. “Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in15 there is a new art show.”

    “But what does he get out of the art?” I asked. “He can't see.”

    “Can't see! You're 16. He sees a lot. More than you and I do,” the clerk said. “His wife17 each painting so he can see it in his head.”

    I learned something about patience, 18 and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without 19 and the courage of a husband who would not20 blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, hand in hand.

    I have always considered myself a positive optimist,trying to find the best in every situation.I've recently become aware of how two little1have had a great impact on people.

    My son2to tell me about a house he was interested in.I said,"Honey,I am glad that you've found something you like,3…"There,I continued,"Don't you think,with the gas prices,you might want to buy one4to your work?"As he told me all about the possible house,I could hear the5in his voice.The moment I spoke the word, BUT,it was6I pricked a balloon with a needle（针）.I could hear him slowly deflate（泄气）.I7that if I had used the word AND—"Honey,I'm glad you found a house in your8range,AND I'm happy for you."—he wouldn't have been9,and we'd have both hung up feel better.

    My daughter10at my door dressed like a princess on her way to the prom.I told her how graceful looked and I was11of the young lady she has become,and I said,"Sweetheart,you12having a great time,but please don't drink tonight."I know she doesn't engage in13behavior;she's responsible and sensible.She looked as though I'd snatched her crown."Mom!"The tone of her voice indicated how I'd14her feel.How I wish I'd said,"I want you to have a great time,AND I15you."

    My husband helps around the house.I was16he had lightened my work load.I told him how wonderful he is, and I used that naughty word again."BUT,why did you17crumbs（面包屑）all over the counter?"Why?Why?Why didn't I say,"Thank you,ANDI am18or all you do around the house."

    I've been doing some19.I am going to remove that naughty little word from my20and replace it with the word AND.This is a decision I intend to keep!

    It was Sunday and I was returning from my sister's place. I left1thinking that I might get a seat in the metro (地铁) and it would be a rather easy2. But since my bad luck was3me everywhere, I couldn't get a seat. I4and made my way straight to the end of the compartment. I5there leaning on the side rails. I was feeling very6about myself.

    After few7I got a seat. Just then, entered a8lady supported by the metro staff and she sat next to me. I helped her out of the wheelchair and made her sit. I9my MP4 player and pushed the earpieces just to keep all the10thoughts from my head. Just then I heard the lady calling me. She introduced herself to me and asked about me. I11my best possible smile and answered that much only and pushed 12my earpieces.

    She went on13and I had to take out my earpieces and keep them back in my bag. She told me she was a student at Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and goes there14. It gives her peace and strength. The strength to keep going15her to enjoy the human life as much as possible. She then gave me one of Swami's16and also recited some of verses. She kept on talking for the most of the time and I was very17listening to her.

    We were so busy in talking that we didn't even18our names and I didn't notice it until we came to our train station and we went our ways.19she left, I opened the booklet she gave and read inspirational20. There and then, I understood that whatever may come, it should not hamper our hopes and our expectations.

    The park bench was deserted as I sat down beneath an old tree. I was feeling 1  for the world was trying to drag me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, a young boy out of breath 2me, all tired from play. He stood right before me and said with great 3, “Look what I found!”

    In his hand was a flower, and what a4sight, with its petals(花瓣) all worn. 5him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I forced a6smile and then turned away. But instead of leaving, he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his 7and declared with overacted(夸张的) surprise, “ It sure smells pretty and it's 8 , too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you.”

    The flower before me was dying or dead. But I knew I9take it, or he might never leave. So I10for the flower, and replied, “Just what I need.” But11 placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I 12for the very first time that the boy could not 13.

    At that moment I heard my voice14; tears shone in the sun 15I thanked him for picking a very best one. “You're welcome,” he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the16he'd had on my day.

    I sat there and wondered 17he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old tree. Perhaps he'd been blessed with true 18from his heart. Through the eyes of a blind child, I19 could see the problem was not with the world; it was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I20 to see the beauty in life and appreciate every second that's mine.

    Zigfried, a little mouse, blew his breath on the frosty window of the farmhouse and rubbed it to see the outside. Still nobody came. Maybe today, he thought 1. It was only a few days before Christmas and he was watching for a miracle (奇迹).

    This farmhouse had been 2 too long. It needed a family. Zigfried's3 made a noise. He realized that he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. He jumped from the windowsill (窗沿), grabbed a4  from his home, and went next door to Farmer Mike's.

    Farmer Mike's house had been a great place for the little mouse5the farmer married a wife who had a cat. Zigfried6when he thought of it. He looked around cautiously as he7  into the room where grain was stored and was quite8as he filled his bag with wheat. He was turning to leave when suddenly he9 a hot breath about his ear. His heart beat10 , and without thinking he started to run and luckily11 the cat's paws (爪子).

    The next afternoon Zigfried heard some good news: a 12family would be moving into the farmhouse soon. Zigfried's granny would arrive on Christmas Eve to13with him. He hoped that the family would come before his granny came. Before long, a car came14 the road leading to the house, with butter sandwiches, cheese and chocolate.

    Zigfried's Christmas miracle did arrive!

    The house came15 the next few days. Zigfried16 every single hour of them.17 the day before Christmas when he was drinking hot chocolate with a 18 smile at the door of his home, he heard the19of the children of the family about what they might get for Christmas. What? A cat? The20 froze on his face; his mouth fell wide open. After a long while, he at last found his voice: "Hey! Whose Christmas miracle is this?"

Soon after my arrival in Luanda, I realized that I was going to have some free time available. I decided to spend it doing something useful and taking part in activities in the1 community. I started my search for volunteering opportunities here and a blog post2 my eye. It was Asthma's3 on how she started her4 journey in Luanda. Asthma has been volunteering at the Foundation(基金会) for Art and Culture for more than a year. I decided to get in touch with them and soon after I got a very warm and welcoming5 inviting me to the foundation. The next day as I6 into the foundation little did I know it would become such a(n)7 part of my life in Luanda.

I was a bit hesitant at first as I had never worked with children before and my Portuguese (葡萄牙语) then was much8 than now. But as I slowly started doing some activities with children, there were not any9 . All that you needed was a heart full of lóve and everyone10 the language of love.

I found plenty of11 to do with kids, keeping them busy and having fun. Together we played, sang, learned new things,12 new games and renewed the old. The children coming to the foundation are wonderful, and full of13 and energy. It is a beautiful place with wonderful projects. Without doubt, it is the best14 I could have found in Luanda, and I am very happy to go there as often as I can. The staff working there really make you feel welcome and15 .