Jennie sat at her window as usual, looking out upon the street, with a look of sadness on her face, “What a long day this is going to be!” Then she saw a little boy running down the street, swinging his schoolbag. Looking up to the window, he took off his hat and bowed (鞠躬) with a bright, pleasant smile.

“What a nice ________,” said Jennie to herself, as the boy ran out of sight. “It seems like having the sunshine. I wish everybody who goes by would look up ________ smile.”

George, the little boy, told his mother about that ________ girl when he got back home, “She looks so helpless. I wish I could do something for her.”

The next morning, as Jennie ________ at the window again, she saw George with a handful of beautiful flowers carefully picking his way across the street. He stopped in front of her window,  smiling pleasantly, and said, “Can I come in?” Jennie told him how to get into the house. Opening the door to Jennie’s gentle “Come in”, George said, “I’ve brought you some flowers.”

“Are they for me?” said Jennie ________. “How kind you are,” she continued, as George put the flowers on her lap. “I’ve ________ received any flower since we moved to the town.” “Did you live in the countryside?” asked George, ________ the old, small and empty room. “Yes,” said Jennie.

Jennie used to have a happy family and live in a beautiful house in the countryside. However, she lost her right leg in an accident. She couldn’t walk like other people any longer. Later, her father died, and her mother was sick for so many years that their money was all gone. They sold the house, and move here to get work to do.

George told his parents ________. They decided to help her. More and more people in the ________ gave Jennie friendly smiles when they passed by her house. She was greatly cheered up. A few months later, Jennie and her mother ________ a flower shop. People could always see Jennie sitting in the shop, having a lovely smile on face.

①Some people think only school children do not agree with their parents, however, it is not true.

②Communication is a problem for parents and children of all ages. If it’s hard for you to communicate with your parents, don’t worry about it. Here are some advice for you to bridge the generation gap (消除代沟).

③Don’t argue (争辩) with your parents. Don’t get to your parents when you are angry. Your parents probably won’t consider your ideas if you are shouting at them. And you can’t express yourself well if you are angry. Go someplace to cool off. Make sure you understand why you are unhappy. Then think about what you want to say to your parents. If you don’t think you can speak to them at the moment, try writing a letter.

④Try to reach a compromise (和解). Perhaps you and your parents disagree on something. You can keep your disagreement and try your best to accept each other. Michael’s mother didn’t agree with him about buying a motorcycle. They argued over it. But they finally came to a compromise. Michael bought the motorcycle, but only drove it on certain days.

⑤Of course, your parents might refuse to compromise on something. In these situations, it is especially important to show love and respect (尊敬) to them. Showing respect will keep your relationship strong.

⑥Talk about your values. The values (价值) of your parents are probably different from those of your own. Tell your parents what you care about, and why. Understanding your values might help them see your purposes in life.

⑦A good relationship with your parents can make you a better and happier person. It is worth having a try!

Last year on Mother’s Day,  someone from our community invited people to share stories about their mothers.

A policeman said his mother took him the opera in St. Louis on Saturdays. He listened to dialects (方言) he didn’t understand. He grew to love opera. Now every Saturday he listens to a radio station that plays opera in the afternoons, enjoying Italian voices and fondly remembering his mom.

A woman shared that she was only 17 months old when her mother died. Her father remarried. She values (珍视) the things learned from her stepmother (继母)—how to keep house, cook and care for children. “But it wasn’t a mother’s love,” she said. “If you have a mother and you’ve known a mother’s love, don’t take it for granted (把它视为当然).”

Asuccessful businessman was 9 years old when his mom took him out of school on his birthday. His driver said, “Why did he leave school?”

“My mom took me out to lunch for my birthday.” he said.

His driver said, “Your mom loves you like nobody else. Don’t you ever forget that, OK?  And take care of your mom!”

Another person shared that when he immigrated (移民) to the US as a young man, his parents weren’t happy. He came anyway and landed in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He found a roommate, and every weekend they drove to the roommate’s home where his mother had food prepared and waited for them. They’d pick it up and have food for the week. The roommate's mother became a stand-in mother with whom he has cherished (珍惜) a lifelong bond.

It is good to tell others what your mother, or someone who has helped fill that role, means to you. But if your mother is still living, it might also be good to tell her.