那天是感恩節前一天------也是第一次我和我的三個孩子沒有在他們的父親的陪伴下度過，他早在幾個月前就走了。兩個年長的孩子此時高燒發得很是厲害，而且最年長那個孩子已經臥床休養一個禮拜了。
It was a cool, gray day outside, and a light rain was falling. I grew wearier as I scurried around, trying to care for each child: thermometers, juice, diapers. And I was fast running out of liquids for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $2.50 -- and this was supposed to last me until the end of the month. That’s when I heard the phone ring.
外面天氣寒冷，天色灰暗而且還下著小雨。為了照顧到每一個孩子：體溫計、果汁、尿布，我忙得團團轉，感覺越來越累。給孩子們留著的飲料已經所剩無幾。但當我去查看我的錢包的時候，我只找到了2.5美元------而且這點錢只夠我維持到月底。正是在這個時候我聽到電話鈴響了。
It was the secretary from our former church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the congregation. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by the church on my way to the market.
這是我們的前教區秘書打來的，她說他們都很想念我們而且教會有禮物要贈送給我們。我告訴她我正要打算去給孩子們買些果汁和湯，而且我會在去商店的路上順道去下教堂。
I arrived at the church just before lunch. The church secretary met me at the door and handed me a special gift envelope. “We think of you and the kids often,” she said, “and you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you.” When I opened the envelope, I found two grocery certificates inside. Each was worth $20. I was so touched and moved, I broke down and cried.
我剛好在午餐前趕到教堂。教堂秘書和我在門前相遇並遞給我一封特殊的信。“我們經常想到你和你的孩子，”她說，“你在我們的心裡和祝福中。”當我打開信封，我發現裡面有兩張雜貨店禮品券。每張都要值20美元。我被深深地打動情不自禁地哭了出來。
“Thank you very much,” I said, as we hugged each other. “Please give our love and thanks to the church.” Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children.
“真是太感謝你了，”在我們擁抱的當兒我說到。“請把我們的愛和感謝轉達給教堂。”然後我駛向在我家附近的商店，給孩子們買了些最需要的東西。
At the check-out counter I had a little over $14.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier one of the gift certificates. She took it, then turned her back for what seemed like a very long time. I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, “This gift certificate is a real blessing. Our former church gave it to my family, knowing I’m a single parent trying to make ends meet.“
我買了將近14美元的食品，我把其中一張禮券遞給收銀員。她接過去以後轉身看了很長一段時間。我想可能事情有點不太對勁。最後我說，“這張禮券是一份真誠的祝福。我們的前教會知道我是一個入不敷出的單親家長就把這份禮券送給了我們全家。”
The cashier then turned around, with tears in her loving eyes, and replied, “Honey, that’s wonderful! Do you have a turkey?”