Mum and Growing Days
母親與成長歲月
Growing Old and Gray
年華漸增
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future. You thanked her by saying, “I don’t want to be like you.”
你21歲時，她為你將來從事什麼職業提出一些建議。而你對她的感恩回報，就是對她說：“我才不願像你那樣！”
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
你22歲時，她在你大學畢業典禮上緊緊擁抱你。而你對她的感恩回報，就是問她能否掏錢讓你去歐洲旅行。
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment. You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
你23歲時，她為你的第一套公寓置辦傢俱。而你對她的感恩回報，就是告訴朋友說這些傢俱非常難看。
When you were 24, she met your fiancé and asked about your plans for the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, “Muuhh-ther, please!”
你24歲時，她見到了你的未婚夫，問你們將來有什麼打算。而你對她的感恩回報，就是對她怒目而視，大聲吼叫：“媽……，求求你別煩了！”
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country
你25歲時，她花錢幫你籌辦婚禮，對你哭訴著說她是多麼地深愛著你。而你對她的感恩回報，就是把家安得離她遠遠的。
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You thanked her by telling her, “Things are different now.”
你30歲時，她打來電話為寶寶撫養提出忠告。而你對她的感恩回報，就是告訴她：“現在情況和以前不同了！”
When you were 40, she called to remind you of an relative’s birthday. You thanked her by saying you were “really busy right now”.
你40歲時，她打電話提醒你別忘了一個親戚的生日。而你對她的感恩回報，就是說你“現在忙得不可開交”。
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.
你50歲時，她生病了需要你照顧。而你對她的感恩回報，就是念叨著父母成為了子女的負擔。
And then, one day, she quietly died.
後來，有一天，她靜悄悄地去了。