Rhondascannedthepaper.“Mom, look,” shesaidastearsrolleddownherface.“ItwasChristie, 'senvelopebymistake.” Christiewasmakingmonthlypaymentsof $120forGreg'stuition.
ChristieLeekswasayounggirlwhohadbeeninRhonda', bakedthembirthdaycakes, , , whohadmovedoutofthecountry, 'shighschoolgraduationandthenhelpedhermoveintoacollegedorm.
“Howcanshepayforthis?” Rhondaasked.“'.”
“Rhonda, it''ttellheryoufoundouthersecret.”
Afewmonthslater, duringGreg'ssummervacationfromschool, , RhondaandChristiesatuptalking, , abouttograduatefromcollegewithhonors, hadmetaspecialyoungman.
“Iamsoproudofyou, Christie, ” Rhondasaid.“, fromthefirstdayIsawyouinclass.”
“, Iwanttoshowyousomething, ” , sheremovedthethank-younoteRhondaandGilhadwrittentotheanonymouscontributor.“Wouldyoureadthis, ?”
AsRhondareadthenotealoud, shehadtoswallowthelumpinherthroat.
Rhondareadthelastsentence...
Weonlyhopethatonedaywecangivetoachildasyouhavesogenerouslygiventoourchild.
“Don'tyouknow, ? ‘Thankyou’.”
Ioftenreflectonthisrewardingexperienceinmydaughter'slifeandonChristie', , , buttheyalsosawtheirgiftofcompassionreturnedtothem.
一天早上,大女儿朗达从前门跑进来,冲我喊道:“妈妈,刚才发生了一件非常奇妙的事情。”
我笑了,记得朗达小时候就是一个热情洋溢的小女孩,她会冲进家门,把一天听到的新闻宣布出来。如今,朗达结婚了,并且已经是两个孩子的母亲,但她的热情仍然能使整个家庭充满活力。
“早上好,朗达!小豆子,你也早上好!”我一边打着招呼,一边抱起两岁大的外孙女,“坐在这里,吃些点心,喝些咖啡。吃完早餐,把你知道的新闻全部告诉我。”我转过身去,看了看朗达,“莫非是你怀孕了?”
朗达答道:“不是,妈妈。”她端着咖啡,激动地说:“今天早上,圣弗朗西斯学校的校长柏金斯太太告诉我,有一个人支付了格雷格的学费,但是那个人没有留下姓名。妈妈,那可是一整年的学费。”
朗达紧紧地抓住了我的手,眼眶中充盈着泪水,说:“是你们吗,妈妈?是你和爸爸付的学费吗?”
我告诉她:“我们很希望能够替你付学费,但不是我们。”