新视野大学英语读写教程听力 第三册 te-unit05-a

[-1:10.00]we become aware that this is a special moment between two human beings...
[-1:11.00]Her long fingers curl easily around my hand and I nod my head slowly, smiling.
[-1:12.00]Without words, through yellowed eyes,
[-1:13.00]I receive my thank you and her eyes slowly close.
[-1:14.00]8  Some unknown interval of time passes before her eyes open again,
[-1:15.00]only this time there is no response in them,
[-1:16.00]just a blank stare. Without warning,
[-1:17.00]her shallow breathing stops, and within a few moments,
[-1:18.00]the faint pulse is also gone.
[-1:19.00]One single tear flows from her left eye,
[-1:20.00]across the cheek and down onto the pillow.
[-1:21.00]I begin to cry quietly.
[-1:22.00]There is a swell of emotion within me
[-1:23.00]for this stranger who so quickly came into and went from my life.
[-1:24.00]Her suffering is done, yet so is the life.
[-1:25.00]Slowly, still holding her hand,
[-1:26.00]I become aware that I do not mind this emotional battle,
[-1:27.00]that in fact, it was a privilege she has allowed me,
[-1:28.00]and I would do it again, gladly.
[-1:29.00]Mrs.Clark spared her family an episode
[-1:30.00]that perhaps they were not equipped to handle and instead shared it with me.
[-1:31.00]She had not wanted to have her family see her die,
[-1:32.00]yet she did not want to die alone.
[-1:33.00]No one should die alone,
[-1:34.00]and I am glad I was there for her.
[-1:35.00]9  Two days later,
[-1:36.00]I read about Mrs. Clark in the newspaper.
[-1:37.00]She was the mother of seven, grandmother of eighteen,
[-1:38.00]an active member of her church,
[-1:39.00]a leader of volunteer associations in her community.
[-1:40.00]a concert piano player,
[-1:41.00]and a piano teacher for over thirty years.
[-1:42.00]10  Yes, they were long and graceful fingers.