IonceheardastoryaboutanemergencymedicaltechnicianJake.Hewasaskedtohelpanunconscious31.Whenhearrived,shehadnopulse.Fromhercoloranddilated(放大的)eyes,hecouldtellshe’d32seriousbraindamage.

33,hedidhisjobexceptionallywell,34overandovertorestartherheart.Shefinallyregained35.

Herfamilykeptintouchwithhim,andheeventually36thatthewomansurvivedthedisease,butpermanentlyblind,paralyzed(瘫痪),and37totalk.

Jakewas38abouthisdecisiontosaveher,wonderingifhehadpreventednature’splan,putaterrible39onherfamily,and40eternal(永恒的)peaceforyearsofsufferingandindignity.

Hispainfuldoubts41hislifeformanyyears—untilthedayhe42thisnotefromthewoman’sson:

“Momdiedlastweek,andIwantto43youforgivingmesomanyextrayearswithher.AlthoughatfirstIfeltonly44,Icametofindpeaceandgainstrengthfrommytimewithher.EverydayI’dholdherhandandtellheraboutmyaccomplishmentsandproblems.Icouldalways45herstrongpulse,andIcametoknowthatshetalkedtomethroughher46.Witheverybeat,shesentmeloveandencouragement.I47ourtimetogether.”

Jake’sprofessionalskillhad48thedyingwoman’sheart,andherson’sgratitudeandwillingnessto49itrelievedJake’ssuffering.

Thisstoryismoreaboutattitudesthanactions.Thequalityofourlivesis50notsomuchbywhatwedoorwhat’sdonetousbutbyhowwechoosetothinkaboutoursituation.

31.A.manB.womanC.boyD.girl

32.A.causedB.avoidedC.reducedD.suffered

33.A.StillB.AlsoC.AdditionallyD.And

34.A.watchingB.tryingC.gettingD.taking

35.A.healthB.consciousnessC.strengthD.position

36.A.learnedB.deniedC.admittedD.informed

37.A.willingB.hesitantC.unableD.glad

38.A.carefulB.curiousC.doubtfulD.concerned

39.A.dutyB.burdenC.chargeD.limitation

40.A.tradedB.endedC.broughtD.obtained

41.A.darkenedB.inspiredC.litD.saved

42.A.comparedB.wroteC.leftD.received

43.A.punishB.praiseC.thankD.blame

44.A.sorrowB.angerC.joyD.reward

45.A.feelB.findC.discoverD.examine