英语沙龙:请给我穿上红色的衣服

Please Dress Me in Red

In my dual¹ profession as an educator and health care provider，I have worked with numerous children infected with the virus1) that causes AIDS．The relation ships that I have had with these special kids have been gifts in my life．They have taught me so many things，but I have especially learned that great courage can be found in the smallest of packages2)．Let me tell you about Tyler．

Tyler was born infected with HIV；his mother was also infected．From the very beginning of his life，he was dependent on medications to enable him to survive．When he was five，he had a tube surgically3) inserted in a vein4) in his chest．This tube was connected to a pump，which he carried in a small backpack on his back．Medications were hooked up5) to this pump and were continuously supplied through this tube to his bloodstream．At times6)，he also needed supplemented oxygen to support his breathing．

    Tyler wasn't willing to give up one single moment  of his childhood to this deadly disease．It was not unusual to find him playing and racing² around his backyard，wearing his medicine－laden backpack and dragging his tank of oxygen behind him in his little wagon³．All of us who knew Tyler marveled7) at his pure joy in being alive and the energy it gave him．Tyler's mom often teased him by telling him that he moved so fast she needed to dress him in red．That way，when she peered through the window to check on him playing in the yard，she could quickly spot him．

    This dreaded⁴ disease eventually wore down8) even the likes of a little dynamo9) like Tyler．He grew quite ill and，unfortunately，so did his HIV－infected mother．When it became apparent that he wasn't going to survive，Tyler's mom talked to him about  death．She comforted him by telling Tyler that she was dying too，and that s he would be with him soon in heaven．

A few days before his death，Tyler beckoned10) me over to his hospital bed and whispered，“I might die soon．I'm not scared．When I die，please dress me in red．Mom promised she's coming to heaven，too．I'll be playing when she gets there，and I want to make sure she can find me．”

By Cindy Dee Holms

 

1 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

2 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

3 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

4 dreaded   

adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
• He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》