罗恩·菲利普·戈尔德/Karon Philips Goodman
I was only seventeen when grandma Elsie died. She was my last living grandparent and I was her only grandchild. Until the lawyer read her will, I never fully appreciated the depth of the old lady’s love. It was a moment I will never forget-a day that made me the richest kid in town.
Mom, Dad, Aunt Sophie, Uncle Bill and I sat around a small conference table in her attorney’s office. She wanted her daughters and their husbands to share what little monetary wealth she left-the proceeds of her small insurance policy, an antique cameo, a few bracelets, some costume jewelry and her wedding band. She also bequeathed them the deed to her house, her bank account, a few shares of stock in the local Gas and Electric Company, as well as the American flag she was presented with at Grandpa Edwin’s military funeral.
As we rose to leave, the attorney said,“there are three more things.”He reached into his briefcase and brought out a small jewelry box, a letter, and a stack of envelopes neatly wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a fading pink ribbon.“Jeffrey, your Grandmother left you her diamond engagement ring, hoping you’ll make good use of it soon.”Everyone smiled.
“These are also for you, Jeffrey,”he said.“It may be the most precious legacy of all-a letter and this stack of love notes.”Grandma’s letter began,“Dear Jeffrey, I am leaving you one of my most precious treasures-my memories. These memories are the letters your Grandfather Edwin wrote when he was away from me.”
Please read them. They are both priceless and valuable-a guidebook that will teach you how to love a woman, how to understand people, and how to respect and maintain your integrity.
“When you read them you will share the longing and passion a good man feels for a good woman, and you will also discover the empowering enchantment they will give you. You will also understand the fears and tears of war. And you will realize the differences between right and wrong. You will learn to trust the people you love and keep your distance from those you mistrust. You will learn about mature friendships and how true love can become the core of your life.”
“I have been fortunate, Jeffrey. I loved a wonderful man. And he loved me. While his love is now a memory, it is also a real dream that never ends. Love is like a beautiful photograph you store in an album. You can enjoy its beauty each time you stare at its wonderment. It stops time. And, it makes you young again-forever!Grandpa Edwin was a soldier, a professional Army officer who chased Pancho Villa back to Mexico with John J.Pershing. He also served under General Pershing in the trenches in France during World War I.To understand your grandfather’s soul, read his loving letters to me. You’ll learn how romantic and beautiful a real man can be. To truly understand Grandpa’s character, read the personal note Jack Pershing wrote me when he heard that Edwin was killed in action.”
“Jeffrey, I said this packet of notes was priceless and valuable. I’ve just shown you how priceless his love notes are. Please learn from them. Then find the right girl to love and love her ardently. This love will enrich both your lives and make you both happier.”
“As for being valuable, save the envelopes. An appraiser at Sotheby’s said the old stamps are worth far more than the rest of my estate. And, the personal handwritten note from General Pershing is even more valuable than the stamps. Have a loving, bountiful life. God bless you.”
“I love you, Grandma Elsie.”
外祖母埃尔西去世时，我只有17岁。她是我最后一位在世的祖辈，而我是她唯一的外孙。直到律师宣读她的遗嘱时，我才真正体会到她对我的爱有多深。那一刻，我终生难忘——从那天起，我成了城里最富有的男孩子。
在外祖母的律师办公室里，我和妈妈、爸爸、索菲姨妈以及比尔姨夫坐在一张小会议桌旁。她想让她的女儿女婿们分享她留下来的哪怕是一点点财富——有一小笔保险单收益、一块刻有浮雕的宝石古董、几只镯子、一些人造珠宝和她的结婚戒指。她还把房契、银行存款，以及在当地天然气与电力公司的一点儿股份和出席外祖父埃德温的军事葬礼时获赠的一面美国国旗留给了他们。
我们起身准备离开时，律师说：“还有三样东西。”他从公文包里拿出一个小首饰盒，一封信，一沓用纸巾仔细包着、用褪了色的粉红缎带扎着的信封。“杰弗里，你外祖母把她的订婚钻戒留给你了，希望你早日派上用场。”在场的每个人都笑了起来。
“杰弗里，这些也是给你的，”他说，“也许它是所有遗物中最珍贵的——一封信和一沓情书。”
信是这样写的：“亲爱的杰弗里，我把最珍贵的财富留给你——我的回忆。这是你外祖父不在我身边时写给我的信。请你读一下这些信，它们是极为珍贵的无价之宝——是一本人生指南，它会教你如何去爱一个女人，如何去理解他人，如何自尊、自爱和拥有健全的人格。”
“读完之后，你就会体会到一个杰出的男人对一个好女人深切的思念之情。同时你也会发现一种魅力，它能赋予你力量。你会了解战争给人们带来的恐惧和眼泪，还会学到如何明辨是非。你将学会去信赖所爱的人，远离不值得信任的人。你还将学到何谓成熟的友谊，明白真爱怎样才能成为你生命的核心。”
“我确实很幸运，杰弗里。我爱上了一个了不起的人。他也爱我。虽然如今他的爱已成追忆，但它是一个真实的梦，永远不会终结。爱就像你珍藏在相册中的一张完美的照片，每次你凝视它，都能感受到它的精彩和美好。它令时光永驻，并会让你再度年轻——永远年轻！你的外祖父埃德温是一名职业军官。他与约翰·J.潘兴对潘乔·比亚穷追猛赶，迫使他回到墨西哥。‘一战’期间，他又随潘兴将军转战法国。读了你外祖父给我的情书后，你就会了解他的为人。你会看到一个真正的男人是多么浪漫，他的灵魂是多么美丽。如果你想真正了解他的性格，可以读一读杰克·潘兴写给我的私人信件，那是他得知你外祖父在执行任务中牺牲后写给我的。”
“杰弗里，我说过这沓信是非常珍贵的无价之宝。我刚才给你看的这些情书的珍贵之处，你要认真体会和学习，然后找一个合适的女孩，好好地爱她。这种爱将丰富你们彼此的人生，也会让你们更加幸福。”
“信件如此珍贵，你一定要好好保管。苏富比的一位鉴定家说，把我的其他财产加起来，也远不如这些旧邮票值钱。并且，潘兴将军的亲笔信比邮票还要珍贵。愿你的人生充满爱和宽容！愿上帝保佑你！”
“我爱你，埃尔西祖母。”
心灵小语
爱情如水，宽容是杯，当爱情沉淀的时候，就轻轻地摇一摇杯子。
词汇笔记
costume['kɑs, tum]n.（戏剧或电影的）戏装；女装
例 The actor came on in full costume.
那个男演员身穿全套戏装登场。
integrity[in't?.riti]n.正直；诚实；完整
例 He is a man of the highest integrity and honest.他是个极其正直和诚实的人。
album['?b?]n.粘贴簿；集邮簿；相册
例 The photos belong in an album.
这些照片应该放在相册里。
estate[i'stet]n.土地；庄园；地产；财产
例 He owns a large estate in China.
他在中国有大量地产。
小试身手
直到律师宣读她的遗嘱时，我才真正体会到她对我的爱有多深。
译________________________________________
如果你想真正了解他的性格，可以读一读杰克·潘兴写给我的私人信件，那是他得知你外祖父在执行任务中牺牲后写给我的。
译________________________________________
苏富比的一位鉴定家说，把我的其他财产加起来，也远不如这些旧邮票值钱。
译________________________________________
短语家族
You will learn about mature friendships and how true love can become the core of your life.
learn about：获悉；听到；了解到
造________________________________________
I said this packet of notes was priceless and valuable.
a packet of：一包；一捆
造________________________________________