In 1967, my husband and I graduated from college with financial challenges. We ______ to make both ends meet because of our low-paying jobs as well as college loans. The birth of our son that summer ______ our financial pressure.

Later we got involved socially with a community of couples. They ______ made us feel welcome although our finances often restricted our ______. One summer, the group organized a picnic and requested we bring potato chips. I was ______ that I didn’t have to spend much on the event. So I ______ two large bags of the least expensive brand of potato chips. However, we got to the state park, only to find a real feast ______ out — chicken, watermelon, home-made salads, and desserts. ______, I was leaving when a friend reassured (使……安心) me that our time to make a ______ for the feast would come sooner or later.

Decades have passed. Now, my husband and I approach ______ with our grown son, but that picnic remains fresh in my memory. Our friends’ kindness has influenced how we ______ and assist others. We may never ______ those who once provided for us, but we continue the tradition of generosity, ______ our struggling younger friends.

That day, the feast symbolized a(n) ______ of gratitude, not to be repaid, but to be paid forward. It serves as a ______ of the lasting power of community and kindness.

When I was 14, I invited some friends for a party at our home out in the country. I planned it well, but something _________ happened. When it was time for us to ride the bus, Nora, one of my friends, didn’t _________.

I felt _________. Why would she tell me she’d come to the party and then _________ without letting me know? So, I decided to call Nora and get some _________. I needed no apologies but I demanded to know why.

Nora _________ she had to stay away from school because she was sick. Anger still seized me and I _________ to listen. “What kind of friend are you?” I said. Nora began crying on the phone, hurt and surprised. For the rest of the school year, I _________ hung around with her again, and I forgot about my _________ call with Nora. __________ had happened between us at some point, but I shrugged it off.

Years later, I began to reflect on that ugly phone conversation. I __________ it. I recognized how selfish and __________ I’d been, caring only about myself. I wanted to make things __________. I composed a letter of apology to Nora and soon got her __________. So finally, we restored a __________ relationship, healing both of us.

There are many kinds of friends. Some are always______you, but don’t understand you. Some say only a few words to you, but understand you. Many people will step in your life, but only______friends leave footprints.

It was the golden season. I could see the yellow leaves______in the cool wind. In such a______, I liked walking alone in the leaves,______to the sound of them.

Autumn is a harvest season and______is uninteresting. The free days always get me______. But one day, the sound of a violin______into my ears like a stream flowing in the mountains. I was so surprised that I jumped to see what it was. A young girl, standing in the wind, was______in playing her violin.

I had______seen her before. The music was so nice that I listened quietly. Lost in the music, I didn’t know that I had been______there for so long but my existence did not seem to disturb her.

Leaves were still falling. Every day she played the violin in the corner of the building______I went downstairs to watch her performance. I was the only listener. The autumn seemed no longer lonely and life became______.Though we didn’t know each other, I thought we were already good______. I believe she also liked me.

Autumn was nearly over. One day, when I was listening carefully, the sound suddenly______.To my surprise, the girl came over to me.

“You must like violin.” she said.

“Yes. And you play very well. Why did you stop?” I asked.

Suddenly, a______expression appeared on her face and I could feel something unusual.

“In fact, it was your playing______gave me a meaningful autumn,” I answered, “Let’s be friends.”

The girl smiled, and so did I.

I never heard her play again in my life. I no longer went downstairs to listen like before. Only thick leaves were left behind. But I will always remember the fine figure(身影) of the girl. She is like a______so short, so bright, like a shooting star giving off much light that makes the autumn beautiful.