Five years ago, my father and I had a serious disagreement. But we haven't _______ it since then. We avoid seeing each other _______ we had to at Christmas or other family gatherings. But even then, we hardly spoke to each other.

So last Tuesday, when I got home, I _______ myself I was going to tell my father I loved him. It's strange, but just making that _______ seemed to lift a heavy storm off my chest.

I was so _______ that I could hardly sleep during the night. The next morning I went to _______ early. At 9:00 in the morning, I called my dad to ask _______ I could come over after work. He _______.

At 5:30 in the afternoon I was at my parents' house ringing the _______, praying that dad would ________ the door. I was afraid if mum answered that I would ________ and tell her ________. Luckily, Dad did answer the door.

I didn't ________ any time—I took one step in the door and said, "Dad, I just came over to tell you that I love you."

Believe it or not, it seemed like a magic. Before my eyes, my father's face softened, the wrinkles (皱纹) seemed to ________ and he began to cry. He hugged me and said excitedly, "I LOVE YOU too, my dear son, but I've ________ been able to say it." Seeing this unforgettable sight, Mom walked by with tears in her eyes.

So my message to all of you is this: Don't wait to do the things you know need to be done. What if I had waited to tell my dad?