In the doorway of my home, I looked closely at my 23-year-old son, Daniel. In a few hours he would be flying to France to 36 a different life. It was a transitional(过渡的)time in Daniel's life. I wanted to 37 him some words of significance. But nothing came from my lips, and this was not the 38 time I had let such moments pass.
When Daniel was five, I took him to the bus stop on his first day of kindergarten. He asked, “What is it going to be like, Dad? Can I do it?” Then he walked 39 the steps of the bus and disappeared inside. The bus drove away and I said nothing. A decade later, a similar 40 played itself out. I drove him to college. As I started to leave, I tried to think of something to say to give him 41 and confidence as he started this new stage of life. Again, words 42 me.
Now, as I stood before him, I thought of those 43 opportunities. How many times have I let such moments 44 ? I don't find a quiet moment to tell him what they have 45 to me. Or what he might 46 to face in the years ahead. Maybe I thought it was not necessary to say anything.
What does it matter in the course of a lifetime if a father never tells a son what he really thinks of him? 47 as I stood before Daniel, I knew that it did matter. My father and I loved each other. Yet, I always 48 never hearing him put his 49 into words. Now I could feel my palms sweat and my throat tighten. Why is it so 50 to tell a son something from the heart?
My mouth turned dry, and I knew I would be able to get out only a few words clearly. “Daniel,” I said, “If I could have picked, I would have picked you.” That's all I could say. He hugged me. For a moment, the world 51 , and there were just Daniel and me. He was saying something, but tears misted my eyes, and I couldn't understand what he was saying. All I was 52
of was the stubble(短须)on his chin as his face pressed 53 mine. What I had said to Daniel was 54 . It was nothing. And yet, it was 55 .
A.experience B.spend C.enjoy D.shape
A.show B.make C.leave D.instruct
A.last C.very D.next
A.upward B.into C.down D.up
A.sign B.scene C.scenery D.sight
A.interest B.benefit C.courage D.measure
A.failed B.discouraged C.struck D.troubled
A.future B.embarrassing C.obvious D.lost
A.last B.pass C.fly D.remain
A.counted B.meant C.valued D.existed
A.think B.want C.expect D.wish
A.But B.And C.Instead D.So
A.wondered B.regretted C.minded D.tried
A.views B.actions C.feelings D.attitudes
A.important B.necessary C.hard D.complex
A.disappeared B.changed C.progressed D.advanced
A.pleased B.convinced C.aware D.tired
A.by B.against C.on D.with
A.clumsy C.violent D.moving
A.none B.all C.anything D.everything