2 . I worked in a saw mill (锯木厂) for just above the lowest wage. As I got ready to go to work I _________ band-aids (创可贴) around my _________ and put more in my pockets, because I would cut and pack wood for 8 hours a day, which _________ my fingers to split (开裂) and bleed at their tips in the cold, dry, winter air. That day at work was _________ than normal. The machines kept _________. On top of it all the heaters in the building weren’t working.

When the work day finally _________, I took off my work gloves and inspected (检查) my _________ fingers. The splits were worse than ever. I don’t think I had ever felt so _________ and hurting before. I wondered how long I could keep doing this, if things would ever get any _________.

I tried to put a __________ on my face as I __________ my front door but instead someone __________ naturally. My daughter ran up to me happily, and wrapped her little arms around my neck. I held her tight and my heart explode with love. I didn’t __________ so tired anymore. My aches and pains disappeared into her hug. In that second, I remembered again that I was here for love.

I think we all have bleeding fingers and band-aid days in our lives here. But with __________ we can make it through them all.__________, work may give us a living, but it is love that gives us a life.

4 . As an only parent, I planned to get a Christmas tree for my 12-year-old daughter Kristil as a gift. I _________ my job and couldn’t afford it until my old college teacher, Esther Heffernan, came to see me. After I _________, we kept in touch. She _________ me for lunch every few months. I had grown to love her like family.

I rushed to the front of my _________ when she got out of her car. “Well, I tried to call you last week but couldn’t _________. Then I called your job and they said you weren’t working there anymore, so I thought I would come by your home,” Esther said. “I have a couple of _________ for you and Kristil.” Esther’s presence gave me _________ that things would be all right.

As she left, she _________ me a Christmas card. “This is for you,” she said. Then she pulled away. When I opened her _________, I got shocked. There was __________ inside. Hundred-dollar bills fell onto the table. Tears of gratitude rolled out from my eyes as I __________. Esther had given me $1,000.

On Christmas morning, Kristil and I gathered around our tree, and I __________ watched as she opened her Christmas gifts. I silently __________ Esther in my heart.

It has been 14 years since then, but I’ve never __________ what Esther did for us. She is now dead, but the ________   she gave during her life lives on in the hearts of many. I am lucky to be one of them.

A small boy was packing his school bag in his room, a room filled with books. Many were novels and some were short stories; many were new and some were yellowed with age; many were detective stories and some were fairy tales. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. The small boy called Frank turned his wheelchair (轮椅) to his right and slowly opened the door. As usual it was his mom, who wanted Frank to get ready for school. Frank had his breakfast, said goodbye to his mom and started his travel to the school in his wheelchair. Frank had lost his leg when he was eight in an accident. He had to spend the rest of the life in the wheelchair. But the accident did not take away his trust in life, and he wanted to be a writer. His mother also supported his dream. Frank had not wanted to go to the school for the handicapped (残疾人). So he had joined an ordinary school.

On the way to school, he met his loving and kind-hearted friend, Lawrence. Lawrence wheeled his friend quickly and talked with him happily. He told Lawrence that there would be a story competition next week. Lawrence encouraged him to take part in it. Lawrence said, “Trust yourself. You can make it!” They reached the school in thirty minutes. Lawrence said bye to Frank and they both went to their classes.

Slowly days passed, and the Formative Exams started. They ended within a week. “Frank, the score is 100,”said the class teacher cheerfully. Frank was very happy because he had scored full marks. He wheeled his chair and again met Lawrence on the way. This time both stopped on the side and Lawrence said, “Try to take part in the story competition.” “OK, thank you, Lawrence,” said Frank excitedly. He rushed home, and wrote something on a piece of paper. His mom was very happy to see her son cheerful and excited. Actually he was going to write a short story to take part in the competition. But he didn’t know how to finish it.

Just then, his mother entered and told him that Lawrence was coming.

As all the judges (评判员) read Frank’s story, they were amazed by his brilliance (才华).

My name is Linh. I am a woman with physical disability. Whenever asked about my diability, my answer remains the same: “I was born with a disability on my right leg. That’s all to it.” In fact, no disability can define me. I want to define the person I am by what I do — I am an advocate (倡导者) for people with disabilities.

My parents were right when they managed to bring me up in an environment where I was always among friends without disabilities. This made me think, “I am different from my friends, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do what they can. I can do things in my own way.”

Having been in an inclusive (包容的) education system. I can see both opportunities and barriers it brings 10 personal development for girls with disabilities. With this experience. I desire to work towards removing the barriers to ensure chances for people with disabilities to fully and equally participate in our society.

At the end of high school. I was at the crossroads when I had to decide the major I would pursue in college. “I plan to choose Law,” I said.

Most of the responses I received were countering: “You should be practical. Choose something less challenging that would help you earn a stable living.” “Many people without disabilities are still unemployed, let alone you with disability!” Self-doubt led me to the decision to apply for both my desired major and the safe choice that I had been told of. In the end. when the heart called — I chose to follow my dream.

The reason was simple. I was not confident that I would find a job upon graduation, but I held a strong belief that I would never be happy doing what I was told to do. I am and will be the only person responsible for my life.

After graduation I began to look for a job.

Besides, in my spare time I worked in Education Center for Disabled Children in Hanoi.

10 . 71 years after starting college, a 90-year-old woman, Joyce Viola DeFauw, was graduating this year. She first entered college in 1951, studying early education, and later, home economics. She left school after three and a half years due to marriage.

The mom of nine, who is now also a grandmother to 17 and great-grandmother to 26, was busy through the years but never forgot about college.“I must have told the children that I wish I had finished back in the 1950s,” DeFauw recalled. “They suggested that I go back and I thought ‘Well, OK.’” Since the pandemic began in 2019, instead of walking to campus to attend classes, she did so behind a computer screen from her retirement home.“I needed a computer and they got one for me and so I’ve been able to use it and enjoy it.”

DeFauw re-entered Northern Illinois University (NIU) in August 2019 and began to take online courses toward a bachelor’s degree (学士学位) in general studies. Although there were times when she struggled with the courses and even thought about giving up, DeFauw kept doing schoolwork almost every day. “We get to exchange ideas and things through the computer and I’ve had wonderful instructors that guided me,” DeFauw said. “As far as the encouragement of everyone — my friends, my family and my teachers — I just can’t give up.”

Three years later, she put on the cap and gown and received a Bachelor of General Studies degree from the university. DeFauw felt very happy and thankful for being able to achieve her big milestone. NIU President Dr. Lisa Freeman praised DeFauw as an “inspiration” to others. “DeFauw is a pioneer and now a Northern Illinois University graduate,” Freeman said. “She has beautifully shown that earning a degree is never late at any age. For anyone still looking to realize your dreams, just go for it. There’s so much that life offers, and you will miss out on if you don’t take advantage of it.”