The passengers on the bus watched with sympathy as Susan made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and then, using her hands to____the seats, settled in one of them.

It had been a year since Susan became blind. As the result of an accident she was suddenly thrown into a world of_____ Susan’s husband Mark watched her____into hopelessness and he was____to use every possible means to help his wife.

Finally, Susan felt ready to____to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too____to get around the city by herself. Mark____to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening____she could manage it by herself.

For two weeks, Mark____Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other____, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new____.

At last, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip____. Monday morning arrived.

Before she left, she hugged her husband____, her eyes filled with tears of gratitude. She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their____ways. Each day went perfectly, and a wild excitement took____of Susan. She was doing it!

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work____. As she was getting off the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure____you.” Curious, Susan asked the driver____.

“You know, every morning for the____week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you until you enter your office building safely,” the bus driver said.

Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than____. That is the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.

When an infectious disease broke out and supermarket shelves were _________, Daniel and Nancy decided they no longer wanted to _________ others for food. The couple decided to start a year-long _________ where they wouldn’t buy a single thing to eat. _________, they would grow, raise or catch everything.

Daniel said, “It is something that we have wanted to do. When the disease _________, it gave us that extra _________. At that time we were both _________, and that gave us even more motivation to see if we could _________ ourselves.” The pair built a house for chickens and ducks and studied online about where they would get all the things they needed. Daniel adds, “We had to learn so many new things like how to grow mushrooms and _________ salt from the ocean.”

Now after five months, they both feel well but Daniel __________ the first few weeks were difficult as their bodies adjusted to __________ coffee, wine and sugar all on the same day,” he says. “After three weeks our energy levels balanced out and our wishes __________ and now we feel great.” Now February has come to a(n) __________. As they survive winter, they feel __________ about continuing with this way of living, with their challenge __________ ending in August.

The other day, while I was grocery shopping, an older man suddenly put his hand on my shoulder, making me jump. My first instinct was to get _______ and ask him not to touch me. Then I noticed the man was crying, looking upset and _______ .

Suddenly, he asked, “Do you know where my _______ is? I've been looking for her.” I told him I didn't know and suggested seeking help at the store's front. His _______ grew, “She was right here.” I offered to walk with him to the customer service counter to make a(n) _______ for him. He agreed.

There, the woman asked for a name. He _______ me, expecting an answer. _______ , I explained he was a stranger and I had no further information. By then, it became _______ to me that this man was suffering from Alzheimer's. Having experienced this with my grandfather, I recognized the _______ all too well.

I asked if he had a phone, and he wasn't sure. With his ________ , I checked his pockets and found a small phone. Browsing through his ________ , I spotted one labeled “Daughter Krissy” and dialed it.

His daughter answered quickly, and I explained the situation. She ________ me to keep him from wandering off until she arrived, and I promised to do so. For 20-something minutes, I stayed with the weeping man, providing support and ________ . Finally, a young woman rushed in, his daughter Krissy. “Thank you,” she said. “I had to leave for just an hour, and this ________ . I'm so sorry.” She explained that he sometimes runs off and looks for his wife, who passed away 13 years ago.

Helping him up, she expressed her gratitude again, and as they left, I heard him inquire about his wife again. My heart ________ , but I was so happy to see him with his family again.