That was many years ago now. Mother died soon after that day, before my sons had a chance to know her. I still come to the park, but now I bring my boys. I still sit under that same sturdy pine tree on an old blanket and talk to my sons of family picnics, gatherings and the grandmother they never knew. Just as my mother did with me, I tell my children about their youthful funny behaviors and praise them for their accomplishments as young adults. We come to this special place to create our own memories ― memories that I know would make my mother smile with pride.
这已经是很多年前的事了,那天以后没多久母亲就去世了,那时我的儿子们还没有出世。我仍然到公园来,不过现在是带着我的儿子们。我仍然会坐在那棵茁壮的松树下,坐在旧毛毯上,跟孩子们说起家庭野餐、聚会和他们没见过的外婆。就像妈妈当年对我一样,我会谈论他们年少时的滑稽举动,表扬他们长大后所取得的成就。我们来到这个特别的地方来编织属于自己的回忆——我知道,这些回忆一定会令母亲含笑九泉。
Not long ago my oldest son wanted to come to the park and talk, so we came and sat under our tree. He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, then he finally told me he was getting married. I cried tears of joy as my son hugged me ― his hug a rare and special treat. I told him how proud I was of the man he had become.
不久前,大儿子要我去公园,他有话跟我说。我们去了,坐在我们的树下。他支支吾吾好几分钟,终于告诉我他要结婚了。我流下了快乐的泪水,儿子拥抱着我,他的拥抱可是难得又特别的。我告诉他我是多么地为他的成长而骄傲。
As I sat there that cool April afternoon soaking up the sun and the smell of freshly mown grass, I felt I had come full circle under this giant pine tree. Holding my son in my arms, I was happy for him, just the way I knew my mother had been happy for me all those years ago when I told her I was getting married.
在那个凉爽的四月午后,沐浴在阳光中,呼吸着新剪的青草味道,我坐在那里,觉得自己回到了原地,就在这棵巨大的松树下。我把儿子揽在怀中,为他感到高兴,我知道,多年前当我告诉母亲我要结婚时,她也一样为我高兴。
Looking over my son's shoulder, I saw that several young pine trees had been planted recently. As these trees grow straight and tall, I thought, will the lives of my family continue to grow with them? I wanted to share this spot with my grandchildren, too.
从儿子的肩膀上方望去,我看到了几株最近新种的松苗。我想,当这些树长得高大挺拔之时,我的家人的生命也会跟它们一起延续不息吗?我希望我也能跟我的孙儿们分享这个地方。
The branches above were swaying in the breeze and in them I heard a whispering voice: Who will you bring here when I'm gone? It was my mother's voice, and I tightened my arms around my son.
头顶的树枝在微风中摇曳,我听到耳语般的声音:“我死了以后你会带谁来?”那是母亲的声音,我将儿子搂得更紧了。