My granddaughter entertains herself outside a closed shop. I have no idea what day it is - I haven’t known for 10 months. I have moved to a different city to provide child care so that my daughter can work.
Everything I observe these days is from a young child’s eye view. I must be experiencing time and place in a way I haven’t done before. I have let go of all the experiences we’re missing because I’m focused on what matters to this child at any given moment. Puddles (水洼), obviously. Rocks held lovingly in her small fist the whole way home. Burying balls that have sailed over the tennis court fence and landed in the sandbox, and her face lighting up when they are dug up. Every single time.
My job is to wait and watch. Let her try things, comfort her when she falls down, and keep her safe. Bring snacks, push her on a swing, but mostly let her be. Tell her the names of all the things she points to. Take her hand when she offers it because she is in a slightly unfamiliar area. The two of us never hurry. This lifestyle change astonishes me every day.
Who knows how her new brain processes all this? I have been forced by circumstance into the arms of the people I need to take care of me. Taking care of my granddaughter is a front. In fact, she gave me much more.
In March 2020, I lost my younger daughter. I can’t say it was entirely unexpected. My younger daughter battled mental illness. She was only 27 years old. She put herself through long treatment programs to reduce her pain. It was as if the whole world went on leave with me. I had company for a few brief days after my younger daughter’s death, and then I was alone. I signed up for the various things that might reduce my suffering. I went 15 weeks without touching another person.
Now a very small girl waits for me, watches me, comforts me, keeps me safe, and takes my hand.
【小题1】Why has the author lost track of time?| A．She feels bored with her present life. |
| B．She has suffered from a mental disease. |
| C．She enjoys being with her granddaughter. |
| D．She is in sorrow over the loss of her daughter. |
| A．deal | B．must | C．burden | D．cover |
| A．The author’s effort to save her younger daughter. |
| B．The measures taken to reduce the author’s suffering. |
| C．The younger daughter’s battle against mental illness. |
| D．The pain caused by an unbearable loss to the author. |
| A．It’s a child who has helped her to slowly recover. |
| B．Staying with grandchildren is a comfort for elders. |
| C．Family members should help each other out of pain. |
| D．Physical separation has harmful effects on one’s health. |
