For several years, we lived at the end of a long Texas country road. Every evening when I was away from home on business, my little boy would ask 1 of his mother to take his black2 and my walking stick, to make the half-mile 3from the house to the fence (栅栏) which 4 the beginning of the avenue to home.
One day, I was busy with my business and was 5 for about an hour, completely forgetting about the 6 little boy down the road who might be 7 for his daddy.
On my way home, the rain was so thick that I could not8 ten feet in front of me. All I could 9was finishing my journey and getting out of the rain.10 the downpour began to become weak. It was only a drizzle (细雨) by the time my car turned the last11 and approached the final street between me and a warm home and nice meal.
12 I caught sight of my little boy, who was 13 an umbrella in one hand, a walking stick in the other, and was wearing the biggest and most beautiful smile ever to lighten the14 of a little boy.
As I stopped the car and 15 the door, he ran into my arms and held me. He was wet and 16 with cold, but he never 17the rain, nor the hour-long wait. He simply said, “Daddy, I am so glad you are home.”
Last year, we 18 to a wonderful new home provided for a special season in our lives. We no longer have a long country road.19 I have never forgotten the rainy day and the little boy and his black dog. Often, perhaps a thousand times, that 20has appeared in my mind. Like all events in our lives, it happens once, and must be treasured.
