你目睹或经历过的最感人善举是什么？（二）
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Jeremi Shearon
, Been alive for 40+ years
Originally Answered: What is the most touching act of kindness you have ever witnessed?
When I was 14, and my brother 9, we found out that my dad had been having an affair for the past 6 months.
Of course, my mum was distraught. Our once solid and seemingly happy family had been reduced to nothing. My dad had moved out to be with his girlfriend (8 years later I still flinch at the word), only returning periodically to ‘talk’, and my mum would stay in bed pretty much all the time. When she did get out of bed she’d stumble around the house in a daze.
I, being 14, had a pretty good grasp of what was going on. My attitude at the time was that I wanted to know exactly what was happening, listening at doors and to phone conversations between my parents. My brother, on the other hand, didn't want to know. I think he was pretty terrified of finding out what exactly my dad had done; he idolised him. We even got into fist fights because I would turn down the TV to try to listen to our parents shouts, and he would desperately try to turn it up again, fingers in his ears.
This went on for 3 or 4 months. To be honest I can't remember much of it now, I must have blocked it out. I do remember this particular occurrence however.
当时我14岁，我弟弟9岁，我们发现我爸爸在过去的6个月里一直有外遇。
当然，我的妈妈为此发狂了。我们曾经稳固而看似幸福的家庭突然变得一无所有。我爸爸已经搬出去和他的女朋友（8年后，我仍然害怕这个词）在一起了，只是定期回来和我们“聊天”，而我妈妈几乎所有的时间都呆在床上。当她起床的时候，她会只会迷迷糊糊地在房子里走来走去。
我当时14岁，能够很好理解发生了什么事情。我当时想知道到底发生了什么，所以就在门口听父母之间的电话交谈。而另一方面，我的弟弟却不想了解这些事。我想，他非常害怕发现我父亲到底做了什么，因为他很崇拜父亲。我们曾经甚至大打出手，因为我会把电视音量关小，试图听到父母的吵架声，而他会拼命把音量开大，用手指捂住耳朵。
这种情况持续了三四个月。老实说，我现在记不太清了，我一定是把它忘了。不过，我确实记得这件事。
, Been alive for 40+ years
Originally Answered: What is the most touching act of kindness you have ever witnessed?
When I was 14, and my brother 9, we found out that my dad had been having an affair for the past 6 months.
Of course, my mum was distraught. Our once solid and seemingly happy family had been reduced to nothing. My dad had moved out to be with his girlfriend (8 years later I still flinch at the word), only returning periodically to ‘talk’, and my mum would stay in bed pretty much all the time. When she did get out of bed she’d stumble around the house in a daze.
I, being 14, had a pretty good grasp of what was going on. My attitude at the time was that I wanted to know exactly what was happening, listening at doors and to phone conversations between my parents. My brother, on the other hand, didn't want to know. I think he was pretty terrified of finding out what exactly my dad had done; he idolised him. We even got into fist fights because I would turn down the TV to try to listen to our parents shouts, and he would desperately try to turn it up again, fingers in his ears.
This went on for 3 or 4 months. To be honest I can't remember much of it now, I must have blocked it out. I do remember this particular occurrence however.
当时我14岁，我弟弟9岁，我们发现我爸爸在过去的6个月里一直有外遇。
当然，我的妈妈为此发狂了。我们曾经稳固而看似幸福的家庭突然变得一无所有。我爸爸已经搬出去和他的女朋友（8年后，我仍然害怕这个词）在一起了，只是定期回来和我们“聊天”，而我妈妈几乎所有的时间都呆在床上。当她起床的时候，她会只会迷迷糊糊地在房子里走来走去。
我当时14岁，能够很好理解发生了什么事情。我当时想知道到底发生了什么，所以就在门口听父母之间的电话交谈。而另一方面，我的弟弟却不想了解这些事。我想，他非常害怕发现我父亲到底做了什么，因为他很崇拜父亲。我们曾经甚至大打出手，因为我会把电视音量关小，试图听到父母的吵架声，而他会拼命把音量开大，用手指捂住耳朵。
这种情况持续了三四个月。老实说，我现在记不太清了，我一定是把它忘了。不过，我确实记得这件事。
November rolled around, about 4 months after my dad had left. Emotionally, things were improving: the panic of this sudden change to our family and lives had dulled somewhat, so that for the most part we were functioning, and I could actually forget occasionally. Whilst I don't remember a lot of the day to day stuff from this time, I do however remember the sinking feeling I'd get in my stomach, when I'd suddenly remember that everything was different now. Money had gradually become more and more of a pressing worry for mum too: getting a divorce is expensive, especially when the people in question can't have a rational conversation without screaming, and we had next to nothing without my dad’s income.
So when bonfire night began to approach, mum knew that it was going to be difficult. We’d always have a big party for bonfire night with extended family. This had gone on for as long as I could remember, and used to be one of the most fun nights of the year for us as kids. I had already figured out that this wasn't going to be able to happen anymore, but my mum had to break the news to my brother that this year our party would involve just the three of us, and however many small fireworks mum could scrape the money together for. He was upset of course, it was such a horrible reminder of what he was trying so hard to block out, but he put on a brave face.
So that night the three of us went to buy our fireworks, something that we used to do with dad. We got to the garden centre, and my brother couldn't help but get excited, looking at all of the huge fireworks with wide eyes. My mum and I picked up a small pack of assorted fireworks for £20, which my brother looked at disappointedly. He ran over some of the large rockets, all of which were far out of our price range, and begged my mum to get one. My mum was fighting back tears at this point; this had always been something that we’d done with my dad, and we couldn't afford any of the fireworks that we used to be able to.
到了十一月，大约是我父亲离开后的第四个月。从情感上来说，事情正在好转，家庭和生活突然变化而引发的恐慌已经有所减弱，所以在很大程度上我们还在运作，我有时甚至会忘记。虽然，从那时起的许多日常事情我都忘记了，但我突然意识到现在一切都变了的时候，我有一种深深的沮丧感。对于妈妈来说，钱也逐渐成为一个越来越紧迫的问题，因为离婚很昂贵，尤其是出现问题的人们只能大喊大叫却无法进行理性对话，而缺少父亲的收入，我们几乎一无所有。
所以当篝火之夜临近时，妈妈知道这次将很困难。我们总是和大家一起在篝火之夜举办大型派对。从我记事起，这种活动就一直存在了，而且是我们小时候一年中最有趣的夜晚之一。当时，我已经意识到这种情况不会再发生了，我妈妈不得不告诉我弟弟，今年我们的派对将只有我们三个人，无论妈妈凑多少钱来放多少小烟花。当然，我的弟弟很沮丧，这是一个如此可怕的提醒，提醒他记起自己曾经努力地想要忘记的事情，但是他装出一副勇敢的面孔。
所以那天晚上，我们三个人去买我们的烟花，而这是我们以前和爸爸一起做的事情。我们到了花园中心，我的弟弟忍不住兴奋起来，睁大眼睛看着所有的大型烟花。我和妈妈买了一小包20支的各式烟花，弟弟失望地看着。他盯着一些大型火箭，所有这些都远远超出了我们的价格范围，并恳求我妈妈买一个。在这一刻，我的妈妈强忍着泪水，这一直是我们和父亲一起做的事情，但是，我们再也买不起以前能买得起的烟花了。
So when bonfire night began to approach, mum knew that it was going to be difficult. We’d always have a big party for bonfire night with extended family. This had gone on for as long as I could remember, and used to be one of the most fun nights of the year for us as kids. I had already figured out that this wasn't going to be able to happen anymore, but my mum had to break the news to my brother that this year our party would involve just the three of us, and however many small fireworks mum could scrape the money together for. He was upset of course, it was such a horrible reminder of what he was trying so hard to block out, but he put on a brave face.
So that night the three of us went to buy our fireworks, something that we used to do with dad. We got to the garden centre, and my brother couldn't help but get excited, looking at all of the huge fireworks with wide eyes. My mum and I picked up a small pack of assorted fireworks for £20, which my brother looked at disappointedly. He ran over some of the large rockets, all of which were far out of our price range, and begged my mum to get one. My mum was fighting back tears at this point; this had always been something that we’d done with my dad, and we couldn't afford any of the fireworks that we used to be able to.
到了十一月，大约是我父亲离开后的第四个月。从情感上来说，事情正在好转，家庭和生活突然变化而引发的恐慌已经有所减弱，所以在很大程度上我们还在运作，我有时甚至会忘记。虽然，从那时起的许多日常事情我都忘记了，但我突然意识到现在一切都变了的时候，我有一种深深的沮丧感。对于妈妈来说，钱也逐渐成为一个越来越紧迫的问题，因为离婚很昂贵，尤其是出现问题的人们只能大喊大叫却无法进行理性对话，而缺少父亲的收入，我们几乎一无所有。
所以当篝火之夜临近时，妈妈知道这次将很困难。我们总是和大家一起在篝火之夜举办大型派对。从我记事起，这种活动就一直存在了，而且是我们小时候一年中最有趣的夜晚之一。当时，我已经意识到这种情况不会再发生了，我妈妈不得不告诉我弟弟，今年我们的派对将只有我们三个人，无论妈妈凑多少钱来放多少小烟花。当然，我的弟弟很沮丧，这是一个如此可怕的提醒，提醒他记起自己曾经努力地想要忘记的事情，但是他装出一副勇敢的面孔。
所以那天晚上，我们三个人去买我们的烟花，而这是我们以前和爸爸一起做的事情。我们到了花园中心，我的弟弟忍不住兴奋起来，睁大眼睛看着所有的大型烟花。我和妈妈买了一小包20支的各式烟花，弟弟失望地看着。他盯着一些大型火箭，所有这些都远远超出了我们的价格范围，并恳求我妈妈买一个。在这一刻，我的妈妈强忍着泪水，这一直是我们和父亲一起做的事情，但是，我们再也买不起以前能买得起的烟花了。
‘No Tom, I'm really sorry but we can't afford it, maybe next year.’ She said, voice wavering.
All of a sudden someone to our left cleared their throat. It was a large man, mid 30s- he looked like a builder, he was still in his high vis. jacket. He was holding a trolley full to the brim with the biggest fireworks in the store.
He smiled kindly at my brother, ‘Sorry, I think you dropped this.’ he said.
He was holding out a £50 note.
My brother began to shake his head, and my mum said ‘No, I don't think-’
‘No, you definitely did.’, and he put the £50 note into my brother's hand, and walked away.
We were all dumbstruck.
Now, 8 years later, I know that millions of parents get divorced. It's definitely not the worst thing that can happen to a person, and in fact, my brother and I have a great relationship with both our parents and their partners now. We’re all much happier. But at the time, to a child, it feels like your world is ending. And for a complete stranger to be so kind to us is something that I'll never forget. The man probably never knew what a huge deal it was for us, and what a true gift he'd given us: a little bit of normality.
We bought the biggest firework in the store that night, and for a little while we forgot all about the pain, and the worry and the uncertainty- for a little while, we were just a family on bonfire night, with the most bad ass fireworks on the whole street.
“不，汤姆，我真的很抱歉，但我们真的负担不起，也许明年吧。”她用颤抖的声音说道。
突然，我们左边有人清了清嗓子。这是一个高大的男人，三十五六岁，看上去像一个建筑工人，他仍然穿着自己的工作夹克。他推了满满一推车店里最大的烟花。
他友好地对我弟弟笑了笑，“对不起，我想这是你掉的。”他说。
他拿着一张50英镑的钞票。
我弟弟开始摇头，我妈妈说“不，我不认为是我们掉的。”
“不，肯定是你们掉的。”说着，他把那张50英镑的钞票塞到我弟弟手里，走开了。
我们都惊呆了。
现在，8年过去了，我知道有数百万父母离婚。这绝对不是发生在一个人身上最糟糕的事情，事实上，我和我弟弟现在与我们的父母，以及他们的伴侣关系都很好。我们都开心多了。但是在那个时候，对一个孩子来说，感觉好像你的世界就要终结了一样。一个完全陌生的人对我们如此友好，是我永远不会忘记的事情。这个男人可能从来不知道这对我们来说有多重要，也不知道他给了我们多么真实的礼物：一点点正常的生活。
那天晚上，我们买了商店里最大的烟花，有那么一会儿，我们忘记了所有的痛苦、担心和不确定性——有那么一会儿，我们只是篝火之夜的一家人，燃放整条街上最碉堡的烟花。
All of a sudden someone to our left cleared their throat. It was a large man, mid 30s- he looked like a builder, he was still in his high vis. jacket. He was holding a trolley full to the brim with the biggest fireworks in the store.
He smiled kindly at my brother, ‘Sorry, I think you dropped this.’ he said.
He was holding out a £50 note.
My brother began to shake his head, and my mum said ‘No, I don't think-’
‘No, you definitely did.’, and he put the £50 note into my brother's hand, and walked away.
We were all dumbstruck.
Now, 8 years later, I know that millions of parents get divorced. It's definitely not the worst thing that can happen to a person, and in fact, my brother and I have a great relationship with both our parents and their partners now. We’re all much happier. But at the time, to a child, it feels like your world is ending. And for a complete stranger to be so kind to us is something that I'll never forget. The man probably never knew what a huge deal it was for us, and what a true gift he'd given us: a little bit of normality.
We bought the biggest firework in the store that night, and for a little while we forgot all about the pain, and the worry and the uncertainty- for a little while, we were just a family on bonfire night, with the most bad ass fireworks on the whole street.
“不，汤姆，我真的很抱歉，但我们真的负担不起，也许明年吧。”她用颤抖的声音说道。
突然，我们左边有人清了清嗓子。这是一个高大的男人，三十五六岁，看上去像一个建筑工人，他仍然穿着自己的工作夹克。他推了满满一推车店里最大的烟花。
他友好地对我弟弟笑了笑，“对不起，我想这是你掉的。”他说。
他拿着一张50英镑的钞票。
我弟弟开始摇头，我妈妈说“不，我不认为是我们掉的。”
“不，肯定是你们掉的。”说着，他把那张50英镑的钞票塞到我弟弟手里，走开了。
我们都惊呆了。
现在，8年过去了，我知道有数百万父母离婚。这绝对不是发生在一个人身上最糟糕的事情，事实上，我和我弟弟现在与我们的父母，以及他们的伴侣关系都很好。我们都开心多了。但是在那个时候，对一个孩子来说，感觉好像你的世界就要终结了一样。一个完全陌生的人对我们如此友好，是我永远不会忘记的事情。这个男人可能从来不知道这对我们来说有多重要，也不知道他给了我们多么真实的礼物：一点点正常的生活。
那天晚上，我们买了商店里最大的烟花，有那么一会儿，我们忘记了所有的痛苦、担心和不确定性——有那么一会儿，我们只是篝火之夜的一家人，燃放整条街上最碉堡的烟花。
Gwen S
April 5, 2017
I’m guessing this man completely understood the situation. Thank goodness for kind people everywhere.
我猜这个人完全了解你们的情况。感谢上帝，到处都有善良的人。
April 5, 2017
I’m guessing this man completely understood the situation. Thank goodness for kind people everywhere.
我猜这个人完全了解你们的情况。感谢上帝，到处都有善良的人。
Amber Joy Kostecki
, former Shift Supervisor at Starbucks (2018-2020)
Answered Nov 1
When I worked at Starbucks, there was a particular elderly lady who came through the drive thru who the other workers had no patience for, but I really enjoyed talking with. I told her about my kids, and she told me stories about back in the day. I had been talking with her whenever she came through the drive thru for a few months, when one day, a little bit before Christmas, she came through, and I chatted with her like usual. She then handed me something and said this is to ensure your kids have a merry Christmas. I said thank you so much! and I put what she had gave me in the pocket of my apron. Later, when my shift was over, I pulled her gift out of the apron pocket and looked at it. It was three 100 dollar bills. I was stunned. That was the last day she ever came through the drive thru. I never saw her again. I don’t know what happened to her. She helped me to believe in the goodness of people.
当我在星巴克工作的时候，遇到一个特别的老太太，每当她经过汽车餐厅时，其他的员工对她没有耐心，但是我真的很喜欢和她聊天。我给她讲了我的孩子，她给我讲了过去的故事。几个月来，每当她经过汽车餐厅时，我都和她聊天。圣诞节前的一天，她来了，我像往常一样和她聊天。然后她递给我一些东西，说这是为了确保你的孩子有一个快乐的圣诞节。我说太感谢你了！我把她给我的东西放在我围裙的口袋里。后来，当我下班的时候，我把她的礼物从围裙口袋里拿出来看了看。是三张100美元的钞票。我惊呆了。那是她最后一天来这里，后来，我再也没见过她。我不知道她发生了什么事。她的帮助让我相信，人性本善。
, former Shift Supervisor at Starbucks (2018-2020)
Answered Nov 1
When I worked at Starbucks, there was a particular elderly lady who came through the drive thru who the other workers had no patience for, but I really enjoyed talking with. I told her about my kids, and she told me stories about back in the day. I had been talking with her whenever she came through the drive thru for a few months, when one day, a little bit before Christmas, she came through, and I chatted with her like usual. She then handed me something and said this is to ensure your kids have a merry Christmas. I said thank you so much! and I put what she had gave me in the pocket of my apron. Later, when my shift was over, I pulled her gift out of the apron pocket and looked at it. It was three 100 dollar bills. I was stunned. That was the last day she ever came through the drive thru. I never saw her again. I don’t know what happened to her. She helped me to believe in the goodness of people.
当我在星巴克工作的时候，遇到一个特别的老太太，每当她经过汽车餐厅时，其他的员工对她没有耐心，但是我真的很喜欢和她聊天。我给她讲了我的孩子，她给我讲了过去的故事。几个月来，每当她经过汽车餐厅时，我都和她聊天。圣诞节前的一天，她来了，我像往常一样和她聊天。然后她递给我一些东西，说这是为了确保你的孩子有一个快乐的圣诞节。我说太感谢你了！我把她给我的东西放在我围裙的口袋里。后来，当我下班的时候，我把她的礼物从围裙口袋里拿出来看了看。是三张100美元的钞票。我惊呆了。那是她最后一天来这里，后来，我再也没见过她。我不知道她发生了什么事。她的帮助让我相信，人性本善。
Bethann Siviter
, Author, nurse, native american, living in UK at School of Life
Originally Answered: What is the most touching act of kindness you have ever witnessed?
On 18 January 1983, at 1330, we returned home after sleeping over at my Mom’s. My hubby at the time worked second shift. I’d gone to Mom’s during the day, and when he came to pick me (and the cat) up, we all got talking and decided to just stay there. He had to be to work at 1500, so we were home in time for him to dress and get ready.
The house, a little four room cottage filled with hand me downs and wedding gifts, was our first home together. We’d been married 6 months. It was covered with snow, there were several feet against the side of the buildings- characteristic for mid New England winter.
As we pulled into the drive, i saw a wisp of snow on the roof… it looked funny. It was grey. I suddenly realised what it was. Smoke. Smoke!
Well, 5 hours, 5 alarms, and countless firefighters later, there was nothing left. During all that time, people had been amazing… neighbours we hardly knew came out with blankets and warm drinks, for us and for firefighters. People tucked a folded 5 dollar or 10 dollar note into my numb hand or in my pocket as they hugged me, trying to reassure my numb heart.
1983年1月18日13:30，我们在我妈妈家过夜后回了家。当时，我的丈夫在上第二班工作。白天我去了妈妈家，当他来接我（和我们的猫）时，我们聊了聊，并决定就呆在那里。他必须在15:00工作，所以我们及时回家让他穿好衣服准备好。
我们的房子是一个有四个房间的小屋，堆满了旧衣服和结婚礼物，这是我们一起的第一个家。我们已经结婚6个月了。它被雪覆盖着，雪大概有几英尺那么厚——这就是新英格兰中部冬天的特征。
当我们停下车时，我看到屋顶上有一缕雪…看起来很有趣。它是灰色的。我突然意识到那是什么。烟！冒烟了！
好吧，5个小时，5次报警，以及无数的消防队员，但什么都没有了。在那段时间里，人们表现得很好……我们毫不相识的邻居为我们和消防员送来了毯子和热饮。当人们拥抱我时，他们把一张折叠的5美元或10美元钞票塞进我麻木的手里或口袋里，试图安慰我那麻木的心。
, Author, nurse, native american, living in UK at School of Life
Originally Answered: What is the most touching act of kindness you have ever witnessed?
On 18 January 1983, at 1330, we returned home after sleeping over at my Mom’s. My hubby at the time worked second shift. I’d gone to Mom’s during the day, and when he came to pick me (and the cat) up, we all got talking and decided to just stay there. He had to be to work at 1500, so we were home in time for him to dress and get ready.
The house, a little four room cottage filled with hand me downs and wedding gifts, was our first home together. We’d been married 6 months. It was covered with snow, there were several feet against the side of the buildings- characteristic for mid New England winter.
As we pulled into the drive, i saw a wisp of snow on the roof… it looked funny. It was grey. I suddenly realised what it was. Smoke. Smoke!
Well, 5 hours, 5 alarms, and countless firefighters later, there was nothing left. During all that time, people had been amazing… neighbours we hardly knew came out with blankets and warm drinks, for us and for firefighters. People tucked a folded 5 dollar or 10 dollar note into my numb hand or in my pocket as they hugged me, trying to reassure my numb heart.
1983年1月18日13:30，我们在我妈妈家过夜后回了家。当时，我的丈夫在上第二班工作。白天我去了妈妈家，当他来接我（和我们的猫）时，我们聊了聊，并决定就呆在那里。他必须在15:00工作，所以我们及时回家让他穿好衣服准备好。
我们的房子是一个有四个房间的小屋，堆满了旧衣服和结婚礼物，这是我们一起的第一个家。我们已经结婚6个月了。它被雪覆盖着，雪大概有几英尺那么厚——这就是新英格兰中部冬天的特征。
当我们停下车时，我看到屋顶上有一缕雪…看起来很有趣。它是灰色的。我突然意识到那是什么。烟！冒烟了！
好吧，5个小时，5次报警，以及无数的消防队员，但什么都没有了。在那段时间里，人们表现得很好……我们毫不相识的邻居为我们和消防员送来了毯子和热饮。当人们拥抱我时，他们把一张折叠的5美元或10美元钞票塞进我麻木的手里或口袋里，试图安慰我那麻木的心。
And then, the fire was over. People left. I was standing looking at the fragments of our life and home all over the top of the driveway, just as black and broken and trampled as I felt. I felt the hot tears finally start running down my cheeks as the enormity of the task ahead hit me.
We had *nothing* material left at all. I had lost my textbooks. All our wedding gifts, our pictures, the precious little things you keep as mementos… I had my cat, my husband and… well, that was about it, it appeared. I didn’t know where my husband was: he was with his parents in a neighbour’s living room talking to the fire inspector who was explaining what had happened- the fire department had found faulty wiring as the cause. My father in law was a fire fighter in a neighbouring community so he wanted to know every detail. My parents were there too, horrified to hear that had we been home, we would have died as the fire started under the doorway to our bedroom. It had started as overheated lights soaked into tar coated beams, building a hot and smoking fire in the basement. We had smoke detectors, but who knows if in deep sleep we would have heard them in the basement.
So, there I stood, actually and emotionally alone, and oh, I felt it.
然后，火就熄灭了。人们离开了。我站在那里，看着我们生活和家庭的碎片，就像我感觉的那样，又黑又破，被践踏了一样。面对眼前的艰巨任务，我感到，滚烫的眼泪开始从脸颊上滚落下来。
我们已经一无所有了。我失去了自己的课本、我们所有的结婚礼物，我们的照片，那些你留作纪念的珍贵小玩意…而我现在只有丈夫和那只猫了…嗯，似乎就这些了。我不知道我的丈夫在哪里。当时，他和父母在邻居的卧室里和消防检查员谈话，消防员正在解释发生了什么事——消防部门已经发现，线路错误是导致火灾的原因。我的岳父是附近社区的一名消防员，所以他想知道每一个细节。我的父母也在那里，当他们听到，如果我们在家的话，可能会死于卧室门口的大火时，他们吓坏了。这场火灾，是因为涂有焦油的横梁过热所引发的，在地下室产生炽热的浓烟。我们有烟雾探测器，但谁知道，沉睡状态的我们会不会在地下室听到它们的报警声呢。
所以，我站在那里，物理上和情感上都感到很孤独，我感受到了那种感觉。
We had *nothing* material left at all. I had lost my textbooks. All our wedding gifts, our pictures, the precious little things you keep as mementos… I had my cat, my husband and… well, that was about it, it appeared. I didn’t know where my husband was: he was with his parents in a neighbour’s living room talking to the fire inspector who was explaining what had happened- the fire department had found faulty wiring as the cause. My father in law was a fire fighter in a neighbouring community so he wanted to know every detail. My parents were there too, horrified to hear that had we been home, we would have died as the fire started under the doorway to our bedroom. It had started as overheated lights soaked into tar coated beams, building a hot and smoking fire in the basement. We had smoke detectors, but who knows if in deep sleep we would have heard them in the basement.
So, there I stood, actually and emotionally alone, and oh, I felt it.
然后，火就熄灭了。人们离开了。我站在那里，看着我们生活和家庭的碎片，就像我感觉的那样，又黑又破，被践踏了一样。面对眼前的艰巨任务，我感到，滚烫的眼泪开始从脸颊上滚落下来。
我们已经一无所有了。我失去了自己的课本、我们所有的结婚礼物，我们的照片，那些你留作纪念的珍贵小玩意…而我现在只有丈夫和那只猫了…嗯，似乎就这些了。我不知道我的丈夫在哪里。当时，他和父母在邻居的卧室里和消防检查员谈话，消防员正在解释发生了什么事——消防部门已经发现，线路错误是导致火灾的原因。我的岳父是附近社区的一名消防员，所以他想知道每一个细节。我的父母也在那里，当他们听到，如果我们在家的话，可能会死于卧室门口的大火时，他们吓坏了。这场火灾，是因为涂有焦油的横梁过热所引发的，在地下室产生炽热的浓烟。我们有烟雾探测器，但谁知道，沉睡状态的我们会不会在地下室听到它们的报警声呢。
所以，我站在那里，物理上和情感上都感到很孤独，我感受到了那种感觉。
And, as I stood there standing looking at what had been my life, a firefighter came past with a hose reel… I looked at him, and whispered “thank you”.
I will never forget him. His face was covered with soot coated ice. His face was black with soot, his red rimmed eyes were fatigued. He was there on the first engine that arrived, he had been there for the whole fire.
He said “come here” and put his big arms around me. I burst into tears in the arms of this big wet dirty stranger, and he held me as I did. For the first time, I felt safe, I just knew for the moment in his arms nothing else bad could happen. I relaxed a bit, and when I did, the emotion poured out and I cried every tear I had so bravely held back during the preceding hours.
And then, he lifted my chin, looked at me and said words that helped that moment and in all those which would follow…”This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.” He walked me over to the Red Cross van, he spoke to someone there, left some information, and kissed my forehead before he left.
The Red Cross lady made sure we had a place to stay, we had appointments for help… and she handed me a crumpled paper. It was sooty. She smiled, and I knew what was on the paper. He’d left his name.
当我站在那里看着这场人生的遭遇时，一名消防队员拿着一个软管卷盘走了过来……我看着他，低声说了声“谢谢”。
我永远不会忘记他。他的脸上覆盖着烟灰和冰。他的脸被煤烟熏黑了，他的红眼圈看起来很疲劳。他坐着第一辆赶来的消防车，在整个火灾过程中他都在那里。
他说“过来吧”，然后用他的大胳膊搂住了我。我在这个又湿又脏的陌生人怀里放声大哭，他也像我一样抱着我。第一次，我感到安全，那一刻我知道，在他的臂弯里不会有其他不幸的事情发生。我放松了一点，当我这样做的时候，我的情绪涌出来，开始哭泣，我在之前的几个小时里都勇敢地忍住了每一滴眼泪。
然后，他抬起我的下巴，看着我，说了一些对那一刻和接下来所有事情都有帮助的话……“这是最糟糕的一部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好。期待它变得容易一些，不要抓着今天不放，为明天而活，去寻求人们的帮助吧，他们会愿意帮助的。但是，损失已经过去了。那就让它过去吧。还有更好的未来在等着你。”他陪我走到红十字会的货车前，和那里的人说了话，留下了一些信息，并在离开前吻了吻我的额头。
红十字会的女士确保我们有居住的地方，并预约了人来帮忙…她递给我一张皱巴巴的纸，已经变得乌黑了，那名女士也笑了，我知道纸上写了什么。那名消防员留下了自己的名字。
I will never forget him. His face was covered with soot coated ice. His face was black with soot, his red rimmed eyes were fatigued. He was there on the first engine that arrived, he had been there for the whole fire.
He said “come here” and put his big arms around me. I burst into tears in the arms of this big wet dirty stranger, and he held me as I did. For the first time, I felt safe, I just knew for the moment in his arms nothing else bad could happen. I relaxed a bit, and when I did, the emotion poured out and I cried every tear I had so bravely held back during the preceding hours.
And then, he lifted my chin, looked at me and said words that helped that moment and in all those which would follow…”This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.” He walked me over to the Red Cross van, he spoke to someone there, left some information, and kissed my forehead before he left.
The Red Cross lady made sure we had a place to stay, we had appointments for help… and she handed me a crumpled paper. It was sooty. She smiled, and I knew what was on the paper. He’d left his name.
当我站在那里看着这场人生的遭遇时，一名消防队员拿着一个软管卷盘走了过来……我看着他，低声说了声“谢谢”。
我永远不会忘记他。他的脸上覆盖着烟灰和冰。他的脸被煤烟熏黑了，他的红眼圈看起来很疲劳。他坐着第一辆赶来的消防车，在整个火灾过程中他都在那里。
他说“过来吧”，然后用他的大胳膊搂住了我。我在这个又湿又脏的陌生人怀里放声大哭，他也像我一样抱着我。第一次，我感到安全，那一刻我知道，在他的臂弯里不会有其他不幸的事情发生。我放松了一点，当我这样做的时候，我的情绪涌出来，开始哭泣，我在之前的几个小时里都勇敢地忍住了每一滴眼泪。
然后，他抬起我的下巴，看着我，说了一些对那一刻和接下来所有事情都有帮助的话……“这是最糟糕的一部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好。期待它变得容易一些，不要抓着今天不放，为明天而活，去寻求人们的帮助吧，他们会愿意帮助的。但是，损失已经过去了。那就让它过去吧。还有更好的未来在等着你。”他陪我走到红十字会的货车前，和那里的人说了话，留下了一些信息，并在离开前吻了吻我的额头。
红十字会的女士确保我们有居住的地方，并预约了人来帮忙…她递给我一张皱巴巴的纸，已经变得乌黑了，那名女士也笑了，我知道纸上写了什么。那名消防员留下了自己的名字。
And, he helped set up the fundraiser that buoyed us, held at the firefighter’s social club. He delivered boxes of “stuff he didn’t need” and “stuff some people had”. He called and asked how it was going. He helped deliver the donated sofa into the apartment one of his friends had and was willing to let us into without any money up front. I couldn’t prove it, by I was sure he was behind at least a few of the envelopes with 40–50 dollars that arrived in the door without a name.
He didn’t know us, but he became a friend… and one day I asked him why.
He said “When I saw you there, I could feel how alone you felt, and I couldn’t let you think that was all there was… I wanted you to have hope.”
And that gift of hope, that kindness from one stranger to another, got me through one of the most difficult days of my life. He was paid to be there to put out the fire, and that he did, but more… he made sure a fire for life stayed lit in me. His kindnesses extended beyond those words, but that in his exhaustion and after working so hard he still had the heart to reach out to me to make sure I wan’t afraid still stuns me, and has been in my heart when I have been the one standing by someone else with their life in ruins in front of them.
而且，他帮助在消防员的社交俱乐部举行了募捐活动，这给我们带来了鼓励。他送来几箱“他不需要的东西”和“别人的一些东西”。他打电话询问我们的情况。他帮忙把捐赠的沙发搬进了他一个朋友的公寓，并愿意让我们免费入住。虽然我无法证实，但是，我确信他把几个含有40-50美元却没有名字的信封放在了我们的门口。
他不认识我们，但他后来成了我们的朋友…有一天我问他为什么要这么做。
他说“当我看到你在那里的时候，我能感觉到你是多么的孤独，我不能让你认为这就是生活的全部…我想让你充满希望。”
这份带来希望的礼物，一份陌生人对另一个陌生人的善意，让我度过了人生中最艰难的一天。有人付钱让他去灭火，他做到了，但更重要的是，他让我心中的生命之火从未熄灭。他的友善超越了那些话语……在他疲惫不堪和努力工作之后，他仍然有心向我伸出援助之手来，确保我不会害怕，这个行为仍然令我感到震惊；并且，当别人的生活面临一片废墟时，而我也在他们身边守护时，他的友善仍然一直在我心中。
He didn’t know us, but he became a friend… and one day I asked him why.
He said “When I saw you there, I could feel how alone you felt, and I couldn’t let you think that was all there was… I wanted you to have hope.”
And that gift of hope, that kindness from one stranger to another, got me through one of the most difficult days of my life. He was paid to be there to put out the fire, and that he did, but more… he made sure a fire for life stayed lit in me. His kindnesses extended beyond those words, but that in his exhaustion and after working so hard he still had the heart to reach out to me to make sure I wan’t afraid still stuns me, and has been in my heart when I have been the one standing by someone else with their life in ruins in front of them.
而且，他帮助在消防员的社交俱乐部举行了募捐活动，这给我们带来了鼓励。他送来几箱“他不需要的东西”和“别人的一些东西”。他打电话询问我们的情况。他帮忙把捐赠的沙发搬进了他一个朋友的公寓，并愿意让我们免费入住。虽然我无法证实，但是，我确信他把几个含有40-50美元却没有名字的信封放在了我们的门口。
他不认识我们，但他后来成了我们的朋友…有一天我问他为什么要这么做。
他说“当我看到你在那里的时候，我能感觉到你是多么的孤独，我不能让你认为这就是生活的全部…我想让你充满希望。”
这份带来希望的礼物，一份陌生人对另一个陌生人的善意，让我度过了人生中最艰难的一天。有人付钱让他去灭火，他做到了，但更重要的是，他让我心中的生命之火从未熄灭。他的友善超越了那些话语……在他疲惫不堪和努力工作之后，他仍然有心向我伸出援助之手来，确保我不会害怕，这个行为仍然令我感到震惊；并且，当别人的生活面临一片废墟时，而我也在他们身边守护时，他的友善仍然一直在我心中。
He died years ago, and I attended his wake- an open casket visiting hours affair. There was an honour guard from the fire department. He had been there for so many, and you know what? His wife never knew. He never told her. He never told his kids, three daughters my age who looked on numbly at the body in the casket.
His wife never knew how he helped people rebuild … she sat in front of the casket, her brave eyes holding back tears as she too stared at what was once her life, and little by little all of us who he had helped encircled her, and we all told her how much he meant to us…
And one of the others, one of those he had helped, said… “Your husband once told me, ”This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better…”
His kindness to me - to so many- will never be forgotten.
Edit: I can’t believe this has reached 15K in upvotes- I’m stunned, thank you so much for reading. It was such a horrible time and I don’t think I would have survived it without his wisdom and kindness. I’m so glad other people can appreciate the life of kindness and love this man lived- and that others will have his inspired words in their hearts “This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.” He was right… people helped, and better things came.
几年前，他去世了，我参加了他的守灵仪式——一个开放灵柩探视时间的活动。消防队有一个仪仗队。他在那里待了这么久，你们知道吗？他的妻子竟然从来不知道这些事。他从没有把这些事告诉过她，他也从未告诉他的孩子们，三个看起来和我同龄的女儿麻木地看着棺材里的尸体。
他的妻子从来不知道他是如何帮助人们重建家园的……她坐在棺材前，勇敢地抑制着眼睛中的泪水，她也凝视着曾经是她的生活，一点一点地，他帮助过的我们所有人包围了她，我们把他对我们的重要性告诉了她……
另外一个他帮助过的人说……"你丈夫曾经告诉我"这是最糟糕的部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好……”
他对我的好，对这么多人的好，我永远不会忘记。
编辑：我不敢相信这已经达到了15K的点赞了-我惊呆了，非常感谢你的阅读。那是一个非常可怕的时刻，如果没有他的智慧和善良，我想我很难活下来。我很高兴其他人能够欣赏这个人的善良并爱这这人，而且，其他人将会把他激励人心的话记在心里“这是最糟糕的一部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好。期待它变得容易一些，不要抓着今天不放，为明天而活，去寻求人们的帮助吧，他们会愿意帮助的。但是，损失已经过去了。那就让它过去吧。还有更好的未来在等着你。”他是对的……人们给予了帮助，更好的未来出现了。
His wife never knew how he helped people rebuild … she sat in front of the casket, her brave eyes holding back tears as she too stared at what was once her life, and little by little all of us who he had helped encircled her, and we all told her how much he meant to us…
And one of the others, one of those he had helped, said… “Your husband once told me, ”This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better…”
His kindness to me - to so many- will never be forgotten.
Edit: I can’t believe this has reached 15K in upvotes- I’m stunned, thank you so much for reading. It was such a horrible time and I don’t think I would have survived it without his wisdom and kindness. I’m so glad other people can appreciate the life of kindness and love this man lived- and that others will have his inspired words in their hearts “This is the worst part. But, from here, it gets better. Look forward to it getting easier, don’t hold on to today, live for tomorrow, let people help, they will. But, the loss is past. Let it pass. There is something better coming.” He was right… people helped, and better things came.
几年前，他去世了，我参加了他的守灵仪式——一个开放灵柩探视时间的活动。消防队有一个仪仗队。他在那里待了这么久，你们知道吗？他的妻子竟然从来不知道这些事。他从没有把这些事告诉过她，他也从未告诉他的孩子们，三个看起来和我同龄的女儿麻木地看着棺材里的尸体。
他的妻子从来不知道他是如何帮助人们重建家园的……她坐在棺材前，勇敢地抑制着眼睛中的泪水，她也凝视着曾经是她的生活，一点一点地，他帮助过的我们所有人包围了她，我们把他对我们的重要性告诉了她……
另外一个他帮助过的人说……"你丈夫曾经告诉我"这是最糟糕的部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好……”
他对我的好，对这么多人的好，我永远不会忘记。
编辑：我不敢相信这已经达到了15K的点赞了-我惊呆了，非常感谢你的阅读。那是一个非常可怕的时刻，如果没有他的智慧和善良，我想我很难活下来。我很高兴其他人能够欣赏这个人的善良并爱这这人，而且，其他人将会把他激励人心的话记在心里“这是最糟糕的一部分。但是，从这里开始，情况会变得更好。期待它变得容易一些，不要抓着今天不放，为明天而活，去寻求人们的帮助吧，他们会愿意帮助的。但是，损失已经过去了。那就让它过去吧。还有更好的未来在等着你。”他是对的……人们给予了帮助，更好的未来出现了。
Sara Cole
The day I was told they would be cutting off my breast I went to Wendy's. They have these cute little fake fireplaces with comfortable chairs and a low table, and I remember walking out of that surgeon's office and wanting with all of my heart to be at that little fire nook eating french fries and hot chili until things didn't hurt anymore. Because my heart…it hurt.
I stopped at Target and bought paper goods. New paper always makes me happy. I bought a planner, an address book, a journal, an inspirational workbook, and a pink and blue Moana bag because I wanted something “happy” to put my “cancer stuff” in. It was childish, spending all that money on paper, but it was all I could think to do. And then I got in my car and I drove to Wendy's.
There was a homeless guy sleeping at the table in front of the fire. I couldn't even care. I /needed/ that warm little fire. So I pushed his sunglasses out of my way and took the other chair. He cracked an eyelid when I touched his stuff: I said, “I've had a terrible day; I'm sitting here,” and he nodded and went back to sleep.
I pulled out my paper goods and started writing. All those drs' numbers. Addresses, appointments, what I thought I might need, things that I had to do… My Mom called I told her I couldn't talk. In a voice like a robot I told her they'd be taking it off and answered the two questions she'd sent with me to the dr’s office before I got off the phone. I mainlined french fries and chili and tried to cope with my feelings.
当我被告知医生要切掉我的乳房的那天，我去了“温蒂餐厅”，那里有可爱的假壁炉，有舒适的椅子和矮桌子，我记得走出外科医生的办公室，我全心全意地想在那个火炉边吃薯条和辣椒的场景，直到我感受不到痛苦为止。因为我的心…很痛。
我在“塔吉特百货”停了下来，买了些纸制品。因为新报纸总是让我感到很愉快。我买了一本记事本、一本通讯录、一本日记、一本励志练习册和一个粉蓝相间的海洋奇缘包，因为我想要一些“快乐”的东西来填满我的“癌症”心情。把所有的钱都花在纸制品上很幼稚，但这是我能想到的唯一办法。然后我上了车，开车去了温蒂餐厅”。
有一个无家可归的人睡在火炉前的桌子旁。我根本不在乎。我需要那温暖的火。所以我推开他的太阳镜，坐到了另一把椅子上。当我碰他的东西时，他眨了眨眼睛：我说:“我今天过得糟透了，我想坐在这里，”他点点头，继续睡觉。
我拿出我的纸，开始写东西。所有那些医生博士的号码。地址、预约、我认为我可能需要的东西、我必须做的事情……我妈妈打电话给我，我告诉她无法讨论这事。后来，我用机器人般的声音告诉她，他们要把它摘下来……并在挂电话前，回答了有关医生办公室的两个问题。我把炸薯条和辣椒放进嘴里，试图控制自己的情绪。
The day I was told they would be cutting off my breast I went to Wendy's. They have these cute little fake fireplaces with comfortable chairs and a low table, and I remember walking out of that surgeon's office and wanting with all of my heart to be at that little fire nook eating french fries and hot chili until things didn't hurt anymore. Because my heart…it hurt.
I stopped at Target and bought paper goods. New paper always makes me happy. I bought a planner, an address book, a journal, an inspirational workbook, and a pink and blue Moana bag because I wanted something “happy” to put my “cancer stuff” in. It was childish, spending all that money on paper, but it was all I could think to do. And then I got in my car and I drove to Wendy's.
There was a homeless guy sleeping at the table in front of the fire. I couldn't even care. I /needed/ that warm little fire. So I pushed his sunglasses out of my way and took the other chair. He cracked an eyelid when I touched his stuff: I said, “I've had a terrible day; I'm sitting here,” and he nodded and went back to sleep.
I pulled out my paper goods and started writing. All those drs' numbers. Addresses, appointments, what I thought I might need, things that I had to do… My Mom called I told her I couldn't talk. In a voice like a robot I told her they'd be taking it off and answered the two questions she'd sent with me to the dr’s office before I got off the phone. I mainlined french fries and chili and tried to cope with my feelings.
当我被告知医生要切掉我的乳房的那天，我去了“温蒂餐厅”，那里有可爱的假壁炉，有舒适的椅子和矮桌子，我记得走出外科医生的办公室，我全心全意地想在那个火炉边吃薯条和辣椒的场景，直到我感受不到痛苦为止。因为我的心…很痛。
我在“塔吉特百货”停了下来，买了些纸制品。因为新报纸总是让我感到很愉快。我买了一本记事本、一本通讯录、一本日记、一本励志练习册和一个粉蓝相间的海洋奇缘包，因为我想要一些“快乐”的东西来填满我的“癌症”心情。把所有的钱都花在纸制品上很幼稚，但这是我能想到的唯一办法。然后我上了车，开车去了温蒂餐厅”。
有一个无家可归的人睡在火炉前的桌子旁。我根本不在乎。我需要那温暖的火。所以我推开他的太阳镜，坐到了另一把椅子上。当我碰他的东西时，他眨了眨眼睛：我说:“我今天过得糟透了，我想坐在这里，”他点点头，继续睡觉。
我拿出我的纸，开始写东西。所有那些医生博士的号码。地址、预约、我认为我可能需要的东西、我必须做的事情……我妈妈打电话给我，我告诉她无法讨论这事。后来，我用机器人般的声音告诉她，他们要把它摘下来……并在挂电话前，回答了有关医生办公室的两个问题。我把炸薯条和辣椒放进嘴里，试图控制自己的情绪。
I had friends, but I couldn't call them. I had a husband, but I couldn't bear to talk to him. It just hurt too much. But I also felt /so/ alone, having this awful thing that I couldn't bring myself to speak of. At least that guy had slipped off… I could spread out and write in front of that little fire with my little thing of ketchup and my bottomless pile of fries.
About 20 minutes later he came back. He said, excuse me, I was waiting for someone who didn't come. But I can't shake this feeling that you need someone to talk to. That feeling won't go away. So I came back and I know you don't know me, but do you need to talk to someone? And my lip quivered and I nodded and I told him all about going in to the surgeon's terrified they'd be operating on a little spot of cancer and leaving shell-shocked at the news they'd need to take the whole breast. I told him how my hometown had just had a major disaster and *all* my friends were in pain and couldn't be burdened with more. I cried and asked him how I was going to tell my husband what was coming, and he told me he knew my husband would far rather have me and would not care.
A complete stranger sat with me in Wendy's and listened to me pour out all my pain and fears and told me it would be all right --came back for me at a moment I was too wounded to reach out for help-- and found the words to make it hurt less. That is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.
我有朋友，但我不能给他们打电话。我有丈夫，但我不忍心和他说这事，因为实在是太痛了。但我也感到/如此/孤独，有这种可怕的事情，我不能让自己说出来。至少那个睡觉的家伙已经溜走了……我可以摊开手脚，拿着番茄酱和一大堆薯条，在那堆火前继续写着。
大约20分钟后，那个人回来了。他说，对不起，刚才我在等一个爽约的人。但我无法摆脱你需要找人倾诉的那种感觉。那种感觉挥之不去。所以我回来了，我知道你不认识我，但你需要找人谈谈吗？我的嘴唇颤抖着，我点点头，我告诉他所有自己对外科医生的恐惧，他们将做癌症手术，当听到他们需要切除我整个乳房的消息时，我惊呆了。我告诉他我的家乡刚刚经历了一场大灾难，我所有的朋友都很痛苦，所以不能再承受更多的痛苦了。我哭着问他，我该如何告诉我丈夫将要发生的事情，他告诉我，我的丈夫想要拥有的是你，他不会在乎这些的。
一个完全陌生的人和我一起坐在“温蒂餐厅”，听我倾诉我所有的痛苦和恐惧，告诉我一切都会好起来——在我受伤太重而无法寻求帮助的时候回来找我——并说出了能让我减轻痛苦的话。这就是别人为我做过的最善良的事。
About 20 minutes later he came back. He said, excuse me, I was waiting for someone who didn't come. But I can't shake this feeling that you need someone to talk to. That feeling won't go away. So I came back and I know you don't know me, but do you need to talk to someone? And my lip quivered and I nodded and I told him all about going in to the surgeon's terrified they'd be operating on a little spot of cancer and leaving shell-shocked at the news they'd need to take the whole breast. I told him how my hometown had just had a major disaster and *all* my friends were in pain and couldn't be burdened with more. I cried and asked him how I was going to tell my husband what was coming, and he told me he knew my husband would far rather have me and would not care.
A complete stranger sat with me in Wendy's and listened to me pour out all my pain and fears and told me it would be all right --came back for me at a moment I was too wounded to reach out for help-- and found the words to make it hurt less. That is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.
我有朋友，但我不能给他们打电话。我有丈夫，但我不忍心和他说这事，因为实在是太痛了。但我也感到/如此/孤独，有这种可怕的事情，我不能让自己说出来。至少那个睡觉的家伙已经溜走了……我可以摊开手脚，拿着番茄酱和一大堆薯条，在那堆火前继续写着。
大约20分钟后，那个人回来了。他说，对不起，刚才我在等一个爽约的人。但我无法摆脱你需要找人倾诉的那种感觉。那种感觉挥之不去。所以我回来了，我知道你不认识我，但你需要找人谈谈吗？我的嘴唇颤抖着，我点点头，我告诉他所有自己对外科医生的恐惧，他们将做癌症手术，当听到他们需要切除我整个乳房的消息时，我惊呆了。我告诉他我的家乡刚刚经历了一场大灾难，我所有的朋友都很痛苦，所以不能再承受更多的痛苦了。我哭着问他，我该如何告诉我丈夫将要发生的事情，他告诉我，我的丈夫想要拥有的是你，他不会在乎这些的。
一个完全陌生的人和我一起坐在“温蒂餐厅”，听我倾诉我所有的痛苦和恐惧，告诉我一切都会好起来——在我受伤太重而无法寻求帮助的时候回来找我——并说出了能让我减轻痛苦的话。这就是别人为我做过的最善良的事。
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