I had come to visit my parents on their 50th Wedding anniversary. In the hospital, Dad lay unconscious. Mom was _________ Dad, “Come on Bob. You’re a Marine(海军陆战队士兵). Marines never give up!” Two months later Dad _________. But things were _________.

In the past, my father would always work out the _________ in a newspaper at record speeds. Now he had trouble telling time, and the _________ days of all was when he opened his _________ and asked me to count the _________ he saved.

Dad looked at me with the innocence of a child who could not _________ a five-dollar bill from a fifty. I _________ the money in the box and the total came to $300. Dad __________ three times but got confused and finally gave up. That evening, Mom said determinedly, “We couldn’t just sit by. Let’s start from explaining the __________ of the clock.”

The next day, Dad asked Mom about the time. Mom said, “You tell me. The big hand is on the six and the little one is on the five.” Dad failed for the first time. But Mom continued to explain it. It wasn’t easy but Dad finally succeeded. __________, Dad figured out puzzles in the newspaper with our assistance.

After Dad fully recovered, we__________ in a big way on their delayed 50th wedding anniversary. When I raised my glass in honor of the happy couple, it was the __________ of two old Marines I __________.

The House Fairy

As young parents, my husband and I felt that at age 6 and 8, our children were old enough to be cleaning their rooms and making their beds. But they thought _________. My complaints, repeating myself, even self—justified shouting were landing on _________ ears. I felt frustrated(沮丧的), and very often a whole afternoon’s scolding would end with their bursting into tears. I realized I needed to _________ my methods of mothering”.

One day while they were at school, I had great fun tidying their rooms. On their desks, in plain _________ I left the cards: “Dear Bill (the other card was _________ to Sarah), your room was messy this morning and I’m sure you like it clean. Love, the House Fairy.” _________ arriving back, the children were _________ excited to receive the little note from the House Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure enough, there was another note from the House Fairy waiting for them, thanking them for their nice “gift” of a clean room and _________ asking them to play a certain violin _________ Each day, thank—you notes would be worded differently to keep the ideas fresh.

Sometimes the House Fairy would suggest a little __________: “If you can finish your homework today and __________ it before dinner, I’d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight.” Sometimes some colored markers or other little items would be left in __________ of jobs especially well done the day before.

__________ I can’t remember how long the House Fairy continued leaving her love notes. When they were no longer age appropriate(合适的), we used various versions of Post—Its. The bathroom mirror became the __________ centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans could be posted.

We all benefited from and __________ the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I believe the true legacy of the House Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication.