文字难度：★★☆
I remember quite well a day 17 years ago. That day our twin sons, Chad and Brad, loaded their car and left home to attend college. I got up early that morning and cooked breakfast while wiping away tears. I sat our “table for five” and realized how all of our lives were about to change.
十七年前的那一天依然历历在目。就在那一天，我们的双胞胎儿子查德和布拉德将各自的物品装上车，离开了家，开始了他们的大学生活。那个早晨，我早早起了床，一边擦去眼泪一边准备早餐。我坐在“五人餐桌”前，意识到我们一家人的生活将从此改变。
I noticed how quietness 1)engulfed our kitchen that morning. The five of us sat down to breakfast. Nobody had anything to say, however. Not one of us knew what to say. Sure, the boys would be coming home on the weekends, but even so, I knew our family life would never be exactly the same again.
那天早上，我注意到厨房里异常安静。一家五口坐下来吃早餐，却没有一个人说话。其实大家都不知道该说些什么。当然，男孩子们周末会回来，但即使是这样，我也知道，我们家的生活肯定不会跟以前一样了。
The boys rambled around each room of the house to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything they needed. I packed a 2)cooler with drinks and their favorite cold snacks. I found a box and filled it with essential food items. When my mind 3)tricked me into thinking they might go to bed hungry that night, I emptied my wallet and placed the little bit of cash I had in their hands.
儿子们在家里的每个房间都流连了一会儿，确保没有遗漏什么需要的东西。我为他们准备了一个迷你冰箱，装好饮料和他们最爱的冰冻零食，又找了一个盒子，装满了必备的食物。想到他们那天晚上睡觉的时候可能会肚子饿，我便清空了钱包，把里面的一点现金放到他们手里。
We all walked outside. Chad and Brad gave me big hugs and quickly got into their car. I waved as they drove away. When I couldn't see their car any longer, I began to sob. I sat down on the driveway, placed my face in my hands and cried harder than I had cried in a long time. My husband Roy tried to 4)console me, but I could see grief in his eyes, as well.
我们一起送他们出门。查德和布拉德给了我大大的拥抱，然后迅速上了车。我挥着手向他们道别，看着他们开车离去。车子慢慢驶离我的视线，我不禁啜泣起来。我在车道上坐了下来，双手捂着脸，泪流不止，很久没有像那样痛哭了。丈夫罗伊想尽办法安慰我，但我看见他的眼里也饱含忧伤。
Five years later, we went through many of the same emotions when our daughter, Becky moved away from home. We had become somewhat accustomed to our “table for three.” We were sad that it would soon become a “table for two.”
五年后，女儿贝基离家时，我们同样也经历了类似的感伤。毕竟，我们那时已经有点习惯了“三人餐”。很快就要变成“二人餐”了，我们不免有些难过。
There are many parents dreading this time of year. 5)Bittersweet feelings will be present. While these parents feel pride and joy for their children, they will also feel a sense of grief. Painful moments will fill their minds. While I cannot adequately explain the feelings, I can still remember how I felt when we began that new chapter in our lives.
很多做父母的都害怕每年的这个时候，总有苦乐参半的感情来袭。他们一方面为孩子们感到骄傲和快乐，一方面又觉得难过和忧伤。痛苦的片段充斥着他们的脑海。尽管我无法恰如其分地将这种感情解释清楚，但仍清晰记得自己在开始新的生活篇章之时是一种怎样的心情。
The new chapter meant the telephone didn't ring as much. The house was quieter. I longed to see 6)messy bedrooms once again. I would have loved to 7)referee another sibling 8)squabble. The worse feeling I had was the thought I was no longer needed. Of course, I was proud that my children were 9)self-sufficient. I knew down deep they wouldn't starve. But I would have loved to have gotten up early and prepared lunches just one more time. I needed to be needed.
新的生活篇章意味着电话的响铃次数减少了，房子也比以前安静了。我渴望再次看到凌乱的卧室，也渴望再为兄弟姐妹之间的争吵调停。最糟糕的感触是觉得自己不再被需要了。当然了，孩子们能自食其力我也感到自豪。我深知他们不会挨饿。但我还是希望哪怕再多一次为他们早早起床、准备午饭。我渴望被需要的感觉。
Time rocked on, however. Roy and I are now accustomed to the 10)quaintness of our table for two and we enjoy our lives together. Every night is date night for us. Our dinner table is usually at someone's restaurant. As an added 11)bonus “dinner for two” is much more affordable than dinner out for an entire family.
然而时光荏苒，现在，我和罗伊已经习惯了新奇有趣的“二人餐”，享受两人世界。每一晚都是约会之夜。我们通常在外面的餐馆就餐。“二人餐”还有一个额外的好处：比一大家子出去吃饭要便宜多了。
I have to admit I still miss our children and the old times we had together. But I also have to say I better enjoy the time I spend with the man of my dreams than ever before. Change is not always easy. If you are one of those parents who have just said goodbye to a child headed off to college, let me prepare you for some hard and lonely days, weeks and even months. But let me also say that a new chapter in your life is just ahead. Hold on tight until then. Renew your vows to the one you love. And when you go to your favorite restaurant say with a strong voice and a great deal of courage, “Table for two, please.”
我得承认，我还是很想念孩子们，想念和他们在一起的往昔时光。同时，我也得说，比起以前，我更享受和丈夫——我的梦中情人——在一起的时间。改变有时候并不容易。如果你也是那些即将和上大学的子女道别的父亲或母亲, 容许我给点建议，好让你应对未来那些艰难孤独的日子，熬过每一周甚至每一月。但我也想告诉你，生活的新篇章也即将到来，在那之前，请坚持住。重拾你对爱人的誓言。当你走进最爱的餐厅时，用铿锵有力的声音说：“二人桌，谢谢。”
Roy and I have always enjoyed each other's company, but after the children moved away, we found a great amount of strength in each other. Some things have changed over the years. Our love for one another has grown stronger with each passing day. Together, Roy and I are now doing things we never dreamed possible. Our children oftentimes talk about how we are busier and happier than we have ever been before. Could it be because we fell deeper in love as we spent 12)quality time together at our table for two?
罗伊与我一直享受对方的陪伴。孩子们离开后，我们从对方身上更是得到莫大的支持。这些年以来，很多事情都发生了变化，我们对彼此的爱也随着时间日渐加深。我们现在会一起做先前做梦都没想过会做的事情。孩子们时常问起，为什么我们比之前更充实、更快乐了。是不是因为在两人用餐的珍贵时光里，我们彼此更加相爱了呢？
