ASmallNiceThing
Forthenexttwohours,wedrovethroughthecity.Sheshowedmethebuildingwheresheonceworked.Wedrovepastthechurchwheresheandherhusbandgotmarried.Sometimesshe’daskmetoslowdowninfrontofabuildingoratacornerandwouldsitstaringintothedarkness,sayingnothing.Whenthesunbegantorise,shesuddenlysaid,"I’mtired.Let’sgonow."Wedroveinsilencetotheresthome.Whenwearrived,sheasked,"Howmuch?""Nothing,"Isaid."Youhavetomakealiving,"shesaid."Thereareotherpassengers,"Ireplied.Almostwithoutthinking,Igaveherabighug."Yougaveanoldwomanalittlemomentofjoy,"shesaid."Thankyou."
Shewentintotheresthome.Behindme,adoorshut.Itwasthesoundoftheclosingofalife.Fortherestoftheday,Idroveaimlessly,lostinthought.Icouldhardlytalk.Whatifthatwomanhadmetanangrydriver?WhatifIhadrefusedtodowhatIdid,orhadnotknockedatherdooranddrivenaway?Idon’tthinkthatIhavedoneanythingmoreimportantinmylife.Wealwaysthinkthatourliveslack1greatmoments,butgreatmomentsoftencatchusunaware2—beautifullywrapped3inwhatothersmayconsiderasmallone.
Notes:
1.lackv.缺乏
2.unawareadj.没觉察到的
3.wrapv.包,裹
