English Original
On the first day of college, our professor challenged us to meet someone new. As I stood up, a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see a beaming, elderly lady. "Hi, handsome. I'm Rose. I'm 87. Can I give you a hug?" she said. After a warm embrace, I asked why she was in college at her age. She joked, "To find a rich husband!" Then seriously, she added, "I always dreamed of a college education, and now I'm getting one."
We became instant friends. For months, we talked daily. I was mesmerized by her wisdom. Rose became a campus icon, loved by all for her vibrant spirit.
At the end-of-semester football banquet, Rose was invited to speak. As she began, she dropped her note cards. Flustered, she leaned into the microphone and said, "I'm sorry I'm jittery. I gave up beer for Lent, and this whiskey is killing me! Let me just tell you what I know."
After we laughed, she shared her wisdom:
"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. The secrets to staying young, happy, and successful are simple:
1. Laugh and find humor every day.
2. You must have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
3. Understand the difference between growing older and growing up. Anyone can grow older; that requires no talent. Growing up means always finding opportunity in change.
4. Have no regrets. The elderly rarely regret what they did, but rather what they did not do. Only those with regrets fear death."
She concluded by courageously singing "The Rose." At year's end, Rose earned her degree.
One week after graduation, Rose passed away peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand students attended her funeral, honoring the woman who proved it's never too late to become all you can be.
Remember: Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
中文翻译
大学第一天，教授让我们去认识一位新同学。我起身时，一只温柔的手拍了拍我的肩膀。我转过身，看到一位容光焕发的老人。“嗨，帅哥。我叫罗丝，87岁了。能拥抱你一下吗？”她说道。一个温暖的拥抱后，我问她为何这般年纪还来上大学。她开玩笑说：“来找个有钱的丈夫！”随后认真地补充道：“我一直梦想接受大学教育，现在终于实现了。”
我们立刻成了朋友。接下来的几个月，我们每天都交谈。她的智慧让我着迷。罗丝成了校园里的偶像，她充满活力的精神深受大家喜爱。
在学期末的足球庆功宴上，罗丝受邀发言。刚开始，她不小心把笔记卡片掉在了地上。她有些慌乱，凑近麦克风说：“抱歉我有点紧张。我斋戒期戒了啤酒，但这威士忌可真要命！我还是直接讲讲我的心得吧。”
大家笑过后，她分享了她的智慧：
“我们并非因为年老而停止玩乐；我们因停止玩乐而变老。保持年轻、快乐和成功的秘诀很简单：
1. 每天都要笑，发现幽默。
2. 你必须拥有梦想。失去梦想，虽生犹死。
3. 要明白变老和成长的区别。任何人都会变老，这不需要任何才能。成长意味着总是在变化中发现机遇。
4. 不留遗憾。老年人很少后悔做过的事，而是后悔没做的事。只有心怀遗憾的人才恐惧死亡。”
最后，她勇敢地唱起了《玫瑰》。学年结束时，罗丝获得了她的学位。
毕业一周后，罗丝在睡梦中安详离世。两千多名学生参加了她的葬礼，向这位用实际行动证明“实现自我永远为时不晚”的伟大女性致敬。
记住： 变老是必然的，成长却是可选的。我们靠所得谋生，却靠所予创造人生。