English Original
It was the afternoon of December 24. As the newest hygienist, I had to work. My day was brightened by the office Christmas tree and a gift from my date—a dozen long-stemmed red roses.
While cleaning, the receptionist said a lady urgently needed to speak with me. I saw a tired young woman holding an infant. Nervously, she explained her husband—a prisoner in a nearby facility—was my next patient. She wasn't allowed to visit him, and he had never seen their son. She pleaded to let them sit together in the waiting room as long as possible before his appointment. My schedule was light, so I agreed.
Soon, her husband arrived—shackled, handcuffed, escorted by two armed guards. The woman's tired face lit up like our Christmas tree when he sat beside her. I kept peeking out, watching them laugh, cry, and share their child.
After nearly an hour, I called him back. The guards stood outside. He seemed gentle and humble. I wondered what he had done to be held so. I tried to make him comfortable.
At the end, I wished him a Merry Christmas—difficult to say to a man returning to prison. He smiled, thanked me, and said he was sad he couldn't get his wife a Christmas gift. Hearing this, I had an idea.
I'll never forget their faces as he gave her my beautiful roses. I'm not sure who felt the most joy—the husband giving, the wife receiving, or me, sharing that special moment.
中文翻译
那是12月24日的下午。作为诊所里最新的洁牙师，我不得不工作。办公室里装饰好的圣诞树和约会对象送给我的一打长茎红玫瑰，是唯一让我心情明亮起来的东西。
我正在打扫时，接待员说有位女士在前台急需和我谈谈。我看到一位面容疲惫的年轻女子抱着一个婴儿。她紧张地解释说，她的丈夫——附近一所惩教设施的囚犯——是我的下一个病人。她不被允许去监狱探望他，他也从未见过他们的儿子。她恳求我在叫他就诊前，让他们在候诊室尽可能久地坐在一起。我的日程安排不紧，所以我同意了。
不久，她的丈夫到了——脚戴镣铐，手戴手铐，由两名武装警卫押送。当他在她身边坐下时，女人疲惫的脸庞像我们的小圣诞树一样亮了起来。我不时偷看，看着他们欢笑、哭泣，分享他们的孩子。
将近一小时后，我叫他回来就诊。警卫就站在门外。他看起来温和而谦逊。我好奇他究竟做了什么要被如此关押。我尽力让他感到舒适。
结束时，我祝他圣诞快乐——对一个要回监狱的人来说，这话很难说出口。他微笑着感谢我，并说他很难过没能给妻子准备圣诞礼物。听到这里，我有了一个主意。
我永远不会忘记当他把那束美丽的玫瑰送给妻子时，他们脸上的表情。我不确定谁感受到了最多的喜悦——是给予的丈夫，是接受的妻子，还是有机会分享这一特殊时刻的我。