1 . My husband Sajan is an Indian with a vegetarian heritage. Since I met him, I’ve been a vegetarian, too. Getting older, I wonder if I ignored my parents’_________. After all, they are more _________ with meals where meat is the centerpiece.

Whenever Sajan and I come home, my mom starts _________ our meals weeks before we arrive. She researches new _________ dishes and stocks up on beans and yogurt though she _________ both. So often, even though we’re all _________ at the table together, we’re eating _________ meals. I’ve never really _________ with my mom about the food tension in our relationship. But earlier this summer, I _________ asked her about it.

“It is sometimes a(n) __________to cook your food,” she admitted. “But it is important for us to __________ your and Sajan’s Indian vegetarian diet.”

She also had her question, “You don’t miss the __________ you grew up with?”

I do. And I don’t.

My mom still makes my favorite cookies. But because I’ve been away from home for so long, I’ve __________ lots of new foods, and Indian food has become my food. I always assumed she felt hurt by that, but talking to her, I __________ I was wrong.

Love can be shown through food in different ways. Just make a little room for what our loved ones choose to__________.

Back in the early 1980s, the idea of home computers was catching on. I wasn't keen on getting one. Somehow, I evolved and have owned several computers over the years. Some days, I loved my computer, but more often than not, I hated it. I didn't grow up with them, and they were a challenge to my mental health. Dealing with modern technology was my introduction to stress, and I know who to blame: my children.

They weren't satisfied that their dad and I finally bought a computer and learned to send e-mails. We were quite happy with that, but next came a cellphone. Then just talking on the phone was not acceptable; they insisted we learn to text as well. We couldn't get a break.

I remember well the night that Facebook became a household word around here. Those kids of ours were determined to set up a joint account for us. It took some convincing. We felt no guilt for grating on (激怒) their nerves considering the drama they'd sometimes created for us during their teenage years. A little payback wouldn't hurt those two.

More recently, my husband and I were forced into getting rid of our flip phones and getting smartphones. I will admit that I progressed into appreciating mine. I liked speaking to Siri and finding out what I needed to know in an instant. I enjoyed having Internet access everywhere I went. I felt a sense of accomplishment; my husband-not so much. To this day, he would happily take back his flip phone.

Last Christmas, our children surprised us with yet another popular form of technology-Alexa. The girls took our smartphones in hand and got us programmed. Before we fully understood what was happening, we could tell Alexa to turn our lamp on or off, and she would. To be honest, we were a bit annoyed at having to learn how to use yet another device, but we decided to keep it. We mastered turning the lamp on and off, and once again I got the hang of it sooner than my husband did. I became his Alexa coach.

4 . My brother Joe liked driving cars. He was especially _________speed. It was enough to make mother _________.

As a little boy, Joe would often say to me. “Sister, when I am old enough to drive my own car, I will fly so fast that angels will run scared.” With a big grin (咧嘴笑), he would _________ the scene. I could have told him it would _________ happen. But I didn’t tell him that.

Joe was born blind. But he could _________ like anyone. I didn’t want to be the one to _________ Joe’s dreams._________ would do that for him, soon enough. Up to then, didn’t he _________ his happiness？

Growing up is a _________ between disappointment and surprise, between dreams and reality. When Joe was 12, I think he knew he would never get a license (驾照). As with the other hard facts of life, he seemed to accept it without question or sadness, as if it were __________ more than a card drawn at random (随机地).

One hot summer day when he was 16, Joe, with the help of stick, found his way to my stepfather’s car.

He felt the heat of the __________, opened the door and climbed in. Under the seat, he discovered 6 cans of beer. And he drank all. He found the keys, shouted, “Hooweeee!” and __________ it up.

I have heard various versions (版本) of this story. They all __________ this: the car’s engine __________. My mother fainted. My stepfather rushed outside.

__________, for everyone, the Ford didn’t move an inch. But to this day, Joe still swears (发誓) that when he found those keys and fired that old engine up, he heard the angels.

8 . If you are looking to improve your relationship with your parents, you are not alone.     1     There are a number of steps that can be taken to make a better relationship with your parents.

Be grateful. Consider all that your parents have done for you. You may find yourself feeling thankful to your parents. You will be more willing to improve the relationship. Let your parents know that you are appreciative for all they have done for you.     2     For example, get them a nice gift. If you live with your parents, do some extra housework without being asked.

    3     Often, people do not get along because they fail to take others' perspective. Accept that your parents are different. Think about the ways that their lives may have been different from your life, and how these different histories may be contributing to issues in the relationship.

Avoid unnecessary arguments. Sometimes arguments are unavoidable, but do your best to avoid unnecessary quarrels. This may mean that you have to bite your tongue when one of your parents says something controversial.     4     If it is, make the point clearly and modestly in order to avoid an overly emotional argument.

Don't ask for their advice unless you really want it. Sometimes problems arise in relationships between parents and children, particularly at the teenage years and beyond, because parents can try to give advice that might hurt your sense of independence.     5     Otherwise, you may be opening the door to frustration on your part.

Due to a medical error, 44-year-old Safiya became blind. She felt    1    （help）. And all she had to depend    2     was her husband Meraj. Meraj wanted to help Safiya gain her confidence again.

Finally, Safiya felt ready to return to her job,    3    now would she get there? She used to take the bus, but now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Meraj promised    4    （ride）the bus with her.

For two weeks, they made the journey together each morning and Meraj    5    （take）a taxi back to his office. Finally, Safiya decided to try the trip    6    . Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…Each day she went on her own. It went perfectly.

On Friday morning, Safiya took the bus to work as usual. When she got off the bus, the driver said; "Lady, I sure envy you. You know, every morning for the past week, a gentleman stood across the corner    7    （watch）you. He makes sure you cross the street    8    （safe）, and he won't leave until you enter your office building."

Tears of    9    （happy）poured down Safiya's cheeks. Her husband had given her a gift    10    （powerful）than sight—the gift of love that can bring light.