3 . On New Year’s Day, my 13-year-old son Mike broke his leg while skiing. Honestly speaking, it was no more than another ________ in the past five years. My family had suffered a lot and we had ________ that spending time outside together in winter would bring great fun and lead us through the pandemic. Thus, I wouldn’t let this accident leave my kids in low ________ — I wanted to ________ the very best of better plans.

At dinner on a Tuesday, it came to me. In the coming springtime, I announced, we would have a family roller disco party in the house. My children looked up, their ________ hanging open like caught fish — they were ________. I knew I was supposed to provide more ________. I said, “When Mike recovers, we will order roller skates and rainbow strobe lights to decorate our doorways, push the furniture to the side and have a roller disco party.”

Later that day, my youngest son wore his roller skates and ________ the news when he joined a Zoom call with his third-grade class. Unfortunately, ________ he could finish announcing the news, he slipped and fell, breaking our computer. He was all right but we ________ bought a new computer.

________, the accident didn’t affect us much, for the party gave us something to look forward to and kept us entertained. It may not have happened yet, but the ________ and joy that we experienced while ________ for it have been worth it. That was the _________. Over the course of all the planning and excitement, the broken leg and computer, I knew that even in the ________ of times, there is always something to look forward to.

The cafeteria (自助食堂) conversation on Monday was all about hockey (冰上曲棍球) again. Jade usually fit in with the sports crowd, but now she was not included in the conversation.

“When will you get out on the ice, Jade?” Hazel asked. Jade was a soccer star at her old school in California. “I’m inviting her to play hockey.” Hazel told other players at the table.

Jade lowered her voice. “I can’t make it to open skating time because I have to look after my younger brother Calvin until 6:30.”

But Hazel had been friendly since their first meeting and she wasn’t going to give upon this. “A rink (溜冰场) is behind the stadium. I can practice with you thereafter the closing time. You can buy skates from Ms. Silva, the facility manager. 7 o’clock this evening at the rink!” Hazel told Jade excitedly.

However, Jade didn’t tell Hazel she couldn’t afford the skates and hockey stick. After school Jade hurried home to look after Calvin. When she was cleaning the crumbs (面包屑) under Calvin’s highchair with a broom, she got an idea. At 6:35, Jade grabbed the broom and an old tennis ball.

At the rink, Hazel hadn’t turned up yet. In her dirty shoes, Jade practiced hitting the ball with the broom independently. Surprisingly, she scored a goal. But her smile disappeared as she saw Ms. Silva walking over.

She looked down at Jade’s feet pitifully. “Your shoes made the rink dirty. Those aren’t skates and hockey stick.”

“I’m really sorry for the dirt,” Jade apologized. “I don’t have money for those.”

“You didn’t tell me that!” Hazel appeared, holding Jade’s hands.

“Want a weekend job?” Ms. Silva advised gently. “I’ll teach you how to remove the dirt and leaves. A month later you may get new skates!” “Definitely.” Jade replied. “I’ll be there with you!” Hazel said.

In the following month, Jade was a dutiful staff and practiced with Hazel in the rink every night.

5 . It was a familiar sight that the family gathered around the table telling stories during and after the meal. As part of our daily ___________, these conversations would become the most precious moments for my family.

The love of storytelling ___________ from our dad, whose life was exciting and unforgettable. He told us about his childhood, travels and reflections, all of which had become part of our ___________. Even though few of dad’s stories actually ___________ me, I felt as much part of them as I did. They brought me closer to my family in a way I couldn’t be more ___________ for. Even when I had to live away, sharing tales with my dad on the phone kept me ___________ during the breakdown in my life. He showed us the ___________ of quality time and of family which never ___________ to benefit us.

Telling stories has been irreplaceable. When ___________ a risk about potential failure, I just remember even a moment of ____________ could also be transformed into a funny story. When travelling with friends, I can turn my days into a fascinating ____________. I realize each moment in life can be a story worth ____________. It’s about experiences, memories and cultures that keep ____________ strong and life alive.

____________, the best stories never stop being told. As years pass, we’ll ____________ our families to the greatest hits.

My dad was a cleaner in my school. When I was 12, I decided to study hard to have a life different from his.

One day when Dad asked me to play basketball with him, I just replied, “I’m busy. I want to study well so that I can become a rich man. I don’t want to be a cleaner like you, Dad!” He was shocked (震惊的), but I didn’t care and continued studying hard. Finally, I graduated from high school with honors, and decided it was time to break free from my dad and follow my dreams.

“Dad, I got a scholarship to a law school in California,” I told him. “I’ll leave in 3 days.” My dad was surprised but proud of me. As I left for the airport 3 days later, he said, “Son, wherever you go, welcome back home.” I ignored his words and flew to California.

After I graduated, I found a great job there. Later, I was made manager and earned much money. I no longer remembered my father was a cleaner. I had forgotten my dad, who was still cleaning my school. I seldom answered his calls or wrote back to him. I was busy; I still had a lot more to achieve.

With time, the more success I tasted, somehow, the lonelier I became. I felt especially lonely on my 31st birthday. I kept checking my phone, hoping someone wished me a happy birthday. But there wasn’t a single call or message. Later that evening when I returned home from my office, something in my mailbox drew my attention.

“A letter?” I whispered and saw it was from my father. He never forgot to mail me a letter on my each birthday. However, I never took the trouble to read it. “How did I ignore him?” I thought. I brought the letter home and took out his earlier letters. And I opened one. It read, “Wherever you are, I love you to the last drop of my blood. I wish you a happy life.”

I picked up another letter and read it.

Finally, I arrived at my dad’s house and saw him sitting alone in the yard.