It is October again. It has been a year since my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer; a year since she started her good, brave fight. It has been a year marked with so many milestones, so many shared smiles and secret fears.
Usually, children, with eyes that see all and minds that are still free to wonder, are extraordinarily accepting the changes in routine, the shift in seasons. This week, however, when I took my two younger boys with me for a visit to Mom’s without telling her in advance, Sean ran into her bedroom to greet her, then quickly returned to the living room to talk to me. “Mom,” my four-year-old whispered, careful not to be overheard or offending, “Grandma has no hair.”
Mom came through her surgery that removed the tumor (肿瘤) in her lung with faith and grace. She also came through thin and tired. And the side effect was total hair loss. It should grow back eventually, but my mother decided to have a wig (假发) to cover her head. She wears it mostly for the comfort of others. When she is alone, she usually leaves her head uncovered, finding the wig uncomfortable when unnecessary.
“Grandma has no hair,” Sean said, because we had caught her by surprise.
“I know, Sean. Isn’t it funny?” I asked him as my mom joined us in the living room. We explained to him that Grandma had to take medicine that made her hair go away, but it would come back.
“Would you like to touch my head, Sean?” my mother asked as my son stared at her, his blue eyes filled with questions and curiosity. It is surprising to see your mother—or anyone you love—without hair, but surprisingly it’s something that you can get used to quickly. We are, after all, not really these bodies—these are just the shells that transport who we are, and no matter what the physical changes, those connected by love seem to be able to recognize their own.
【小题1】What has happened to Grandma over the year?| A．She has refused others’ visits. | B．She has pulled through the cancer. |
| C．She has lost her fight with the tumor. | D．She has recovered without side effects. |
| A．Because he found Grandma tired and thin. |
| B．Because just overheard Grandma’s cancer. |
| C．Because he couldn’t accept Grandma’s appearance. |
| D．Because he had never seen Grandma hairless before. |
| A．Loving and optimistic. | B．Loyal and honest. |
| C．Humble and committed. | D．Generous and humorous. |
| A．Every cloud has a silver lining. | B．Never judge a book by its cover. |
| C．Love goes beyond physical changes. | D．What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. |
