1 . When I was growing up, my family was so poor that when I was 7, we had borrowed from every _________ person in my hometown, sold our valuables, and so on, just to _________ as my parents were both _________. When my dad finally got hold of a job as a janitor, my mother started working as well. Finally after we had gotten on our _________ and were comfortably living, she became a stay-at-home mom. At the time our total _________ for my parents and my brother and I, was roughly 23K a year.

That’s not enough to have a maid _________ you lobster in the halls of a big house. But it is _________ to see a loving parent present you with a home-cooked meal and nothing but _________ in their hearts. Now, as I get _________ to turn 18 in late August, I have a father and a brother. I wondered to myself why I didn’t ____________ as many of my friends did with depression or ____________ thoughts, and so on. It wasn’t because I found a religion, or because I started getting ____________.

I was given a ____________. Not only that, but I was given parents who loved me ____________ and would give anything for my ____________. I knew that when I went home and closed the door behind me, my dad was in his room ____________ (working the graveyard shift is a pain), and my mom was making sure I came home to a meal, a smile, and open ____________.

Parents. Love your children. ____________ for them. Let them know that their problems are your problems and that you ____________ them no matter what will happen. Children. Love your parents, help them and most of all, ____________ them. If you’re reading this, that probably means in less than a decade you won’t come home from school every day to see their smiling faces or loving embrace.

2 . It snowed heavily. Five year-old Sean, who ________ went to kindergarten, was staying in the house playing home policeman.

This time, the playful and ________ boy was interested in his brother Felix, who ________ to studying no matter where he was. Sean ________ looked inside his brother’s room from the door, and shouted toward the ________ where Mom was working, “Mom, Felix isn't studying. He’s just watching a funny video.” Sean was ________ smiling at his brother.

Felix was ________ because his little brother was ________ him. Right then, Mom asked ________ from the kitchen, “What are you doing, Felix?” “I’m watching a lecture video for my science class.” Felix ________ against Sean s accusation and ________ his tongue out at his little brother.

“All right. I’m sure you’re doing your work.”Mom ________, and then sharply added a question. “Sean, what are you doing?” Sean’s face immediately became ________, and he said, “________. ” “Come here, honey, and you can help me.” Sean ran to the kitchen right away. “What can I do for you, Mom?” His voice was high, and Felix could sense that his brother was excited.

Felix was pleased to________ the policeman, and now he could concentrate on the lesson.

3 . “I am leaving home.” When Timmy, my 10-year-old son eagerly announced that he couldn’t wait to ______ , the feeling of guilt peaked as I tried to figure out the ______ “So, I can get a dog.” he stressed.

But I stayed ______ we didn’t need a dog to complete our life—and he gave up. Until the day I overheard Tim my, with his brother, discussing his moving plan. Suddenly, the situation ______ gain a dog or ______ a child? I felt my resolve ______ “We can look into it,” I replied doubtfully, but the kind we wanted cost a ridiculous $1000! Yes, love had a price. I ______ for thought again.

I shared my _____   with my friend whose love for dogs was quite sensible. He connected me to his pet keeper friend who got a pregnant dog and the baby dogs were due soon. A few days later, we took a surprise trip to the countryside when the little dogs were born. I would admit that all my previous ______ reappeared after watching a group of blind things, but it was too late. Among screams of ______ we chose one of the little dogs as ours.

We attempt to ______ our kids in a healthy way—I didn’t realize the added dimension of love and ______ that a dog would teach my kids. On a hot day, Timmy cut short his outing to check if Odie, the dog, had enough water. When Odie was sick, my elder son made fresh soup and ______ fed it to him.

My children no longer talk about leaving home ______ there is the troublesome issue of who will take the dog. They quietly learn how to give and receive love. If having a dog means linking my children even closer together, it will be a mother’s prayer ______