A closet (储藏室) is a years - long collection of exactly what makes you the person you are. The _________ rose in my chest when my mom recently decided to move _________ it meant we would have to _________ out Dad's closet, nearly a decade after his death.

In the years after his death, I would sometimes walk into that closet. I had moved many miles away, starting a life elsewhere as my mom took pains to slowly _________ her home-sweeping away the dust of sadness, and making it once again a place for _________ and gathering.

In the closet, I could _________ the dad I had before he had a brain cancer. I _________ that would go away when my mom moved.

I rolled around _________ in bed. Could I stand to see this closet one last time before Mom moved? Would I find the _________ to help clear that stuff out?

Then, a __________: ''I had no idea, '' my mom said. ''I cleaned it out already. ''

The announcement knocked me sideways. What had she thrown out? Would seeing this __________ closet to which I’d __________ attributed such meaning jolt (震动) my heart and cause me to have a meltdown?

I flew home shortly thereafter, trying to keep my mind __________ it with fitful naps (打盹) on the plane. When I finally got through the front door, I knew where I was going: to see this empty closet that I swore would __________ me.

I pulled the doors open. What happened next __________ me: There was no panic—just __________. Sure, Dad's stuff was mostly __________, but I realized then that I didn't need to see it to __________ what we had. The objects were just an outer layer above the warm __________ I held within.

__________, clothes don't make the man, and though objects may help us tell a story, they are not stories themselves.

I longed to visit my mom, 2, 000 miles from where I lived. Since Mom was 80 and suffered from Alzheimer’s, I realized how _________ it was to see her again soon.

In nursing home, Mom spent most of her day doing _________things — walking around and   staring out of the window. She seemed to be “all right, considering that dementia (失忆症) had_________. When hugged and greeted her, she didn’t know who was! Not _________ that her son was with her almost broke down. _________, I spent several hours trying everything to _________ with Mom, but nothing worked. _________ aware that Alzheimer’s is incurable, I still hoped for a “miracle”. Back to my hotel, I spent hours _________and wondering what else could   _________ Mom around.

The next morning, something occurred to me that might recall her __________. So took Mom to a cafe. After we were seated, Sandy the __________ asked for our order. Mom looking at the menu, I took Sandy aside, __________ told her of my plan and Mom’s __________, and ordered two strawberry milkshakes. When Sandy__________ them, Mom took one sip (一小口) looking me in the eye. “This is good Bobby.” She __________ me at last, calling me Bobby!

There’s a simple __________ for Mom’s recollection. When I was little, Mom and Dad and us Kids often __________ into the car, drove around town, and __________ stopped for milkshakes — Mom’s favourite. I’d hit upon Mom’s memory. The accidental __________ allowed me to bond.

With Mom again and I __________to do it — thanks to the milkshake.