English Original
When I was growing up, my father always stopped what he was doing and listened while I'd breathlessly fill him in on my day. For him, no subject was off-limits. When I was a lanky and awkward 13, Dad coached me on how to stand and walk like a lady. At 17 and madly in love, I sought his advice on pursuing a new student at school. "Keep the conversation neutral," he counseled. "And ask him about his car."
I followed his suggestions and gave him daily progress reports. Terry and I went steady for over a year, and soon Dad was joking, "I can tell you how to get a man; the hard part is getting rid of him."
By the time I graduated from college, I was ready to spread my wings. I got a job teaching special education at a school in Coachella, California, a desert town far from home. It was no dream job. The neighborhood was rough, and many of my students had troubled backgrounds. "Be careful," Dad warned me, concerned about my living alone. But I was 23, enthusiastic and naive, and needed to be on my own. "Don't worry," I reassured him.
One evening, I stayed late at school to rearrange my classroom. Finished, I found the gate locked. Everyone had gone home, stranding me. I had been so engrossed in my work that I hadn't noticed the time. I finally found a way to squeeze under a rear gate.
I retrieved my purse and walked toward my car. Eerie shadows fell across the schoolyard. Suddenly, I heard voices and saw at least eight high-school-age boys following me, wearing gang insignia. They began taunting me.
I quickened my pace and reached into my bag for my keys. My heart pounded. Frantically, I felt all over my handbag, but the key ring wasn't there! "Hey! Let's get the lady!" one shouted. I prayed silently. Suddenly, my fingers wrapped around a loose key in my purse. I didn't even know if it was for my car.
I jogged to my car, tried the key. It worked! I slid in and locked the door just as the teenagers surrounded the car, kicking and banging on it. Trembling, I drove away.
Later, we found my key ring on the ground by the gate. When I returned home, the phone was ringing. It was Dad. I didn't tell him about my ordeal. "Oh, I forgot to tell you!" he said. "I had an extra car key made and slipped it into your pocketbook -- just in case you ever need it."
Today, I keep that key and treasure it. I am reminded of all the wonderful things Dad has done for me. I still look to him for wisdom and reassurance. I marvel that his thoughtful gesture may have saved my life. I understand how a simple act of love can make extraordinary things happen.
中文翻译
在我成长的过程中，父亲总会停下手中的事，倾听我气喘吁吁地讲述我的一天。对他而言，没有话题是禁忌。13岁时，我身材瘦高、笨手笨脚，爸爸教我如何像淑女一样站立和行走。17岁那年，我疯狂地爱上了一个人，向他请教如何追求学校里的一位新同学。"保持对话中立，"他建议道，"问问他关于他的车。"
我听从了他的建议，并每天向他汇报进展。特里和我稳定交往了一年多，不久爸爸开玩笑说："我可以告诉你怎么得到一个男人；难的是怎么摆脱他。"
大学毕业时，我准备好展翅高飞。我在加利福尼亚州科切拉的一所学校找到了一份特殊教育的工作，那是一个远离家乡的沙漠小镇。这不是一份理想的工作。社区环境恶劣，我的许多学生都有麻烦的背景。"小心点，"爸爸警告我，他担心我一个人住。但我当时23岁，热情又天真，需要独立。"别担心，"我安慰他。
一天晚上，我在学校待到很晚，重新布置教室。完成后，我发现大门锁上了。所有人都回家了，把我困在了学校里。我工作得太投入了，以至于没注意到时间。最后，我找到办法从后门的一个栅栏下挤了出去。
我拿回钱包，走向我的车。诡异的阴影笼罩着校园。突然，我听到声音，看到至少八个高中生年纪的男孩跟着我，他们穿着帮派标志。他们开始嘲弄我。
我加快脚步，伸手到包里拿钥匙。我的心怦怦直跳。我疯狂地摸遍手提包内部，但钥匙串不在那里！"嘿！我们抓住那位女士！"一个男孩喊道。我默默祈祷。突然，我的手指摸到了钱包里一把单独的钥匙。我甚至不知道它是不是我的车钥匙。
我慢跑到车旁，试了试钥匙。居然打开了！我滑进车里锁上门，就在这时，那些青少年围住了车，又踢又砸。我颤抖着开车离开了。
后来，我们在门边的地上找到了我的钥匙串。回到家时，电话响了。是爸爸。我没有告诉他我的磨难。"哦，我忘了告诉你！"他说，"我配了一把额外的车钥匙，塞进了你的手提包里——以防你万一需要它。"
今天，我仍然保存着那把钥匙，视若珍宝。它让我想起父亲为我做过的所有美好的事情。我仍然向他寻求智慧和安慰。我惊叹于他体贴的举动可能救了我的命。我明白了，一个简单的爱的举动，如何能让非凡的事情发生。