朋友遍天下

Track 4

by Gail Molsbee Morris翻译：Cass

朋友遍天下

Track 4

by Gail Molsbee Morris翻译：Cass

I was a1）military brat. My father was a2）marine officer before my birth and until I started high school. We moved twelve times in fourteen years. When people learn this，they ask， “How did you ever make friends with anyone？ That must have been hard for you.”

But I don’t think it was difficult. Quite the opposite is true. Each move was an opportunity to grow and a chance for adventure.

My mother told me， “You may be sad about leaving your best friend here， but you will make a new one where we’re going.”I learned she was right.

Even though I left behind best buddies， I never3）dreaded the moves or shed tears when we left one4）military base for another. At every base，there was a mass of children to5）befriend. And each military child was connected.

Military6）transfers taught me the meaning of7）acceptance.8）Diversity was something to be welcomed， not avoided. I learned that no matter where someone came from， or how different we were，we had something in common that could be the9）foundation of a friendship.

As an adult， the moves we made have served me well. Meeting folks from different backgrounds gave me the ability to10）mingle in a crowd of strangers. As a military child， I didn’t wait for someone to befriend me； I stepped up and introduced myself. If I see someone standing alone at a party， I’ll head towards them with a smile. If I see someone sitting alone at the doctor’s office，I’ll start a conversation. Yes， at times the other person may not be11）receptive， but there’s always the chance the first hello will become a forever friend.

1） military brat 军人的小孩

2） marine ［mə'riːn］ adj. 海军陆战队的

3） dread ［dred］ v. 害怕，担心

4） military base 军事基地

5） befriend ［bɪ'frend］ v. 待人如友，结交

6） transfer ［træns'fʒː］ n. 调任

7） acceptance ［ək'septəns］ n. 接受

8） diversity ［daɪ'vʒːsɪtɪ］ n. 差异，多样性

9） foundation ［faJn'deɪʃən］ n. 基础

10） mingle in 融入，交际

11） receptive ［rɪ'septɪv］ adj. 善于接受的，有容纳力的

I12）stay in touch with several friends from my childhood. Karen gives me a place to live in when I’m in California. Elizabeth opens her doors when I’m in Virginia. We don’t live close to one another or see each other often， but we value our friendship and memory about the adventure our military13）upbringing provided.

Because of my military experience， my adult friends are varied and numerous. They keep my life14）dynamic. They challenge me to be a better person， give me support during down times， and grant forgiveness for my flaws.

As a military brat I can’t say， “I’ve lived in this house for twenty years.” But I’m blessed to have gained lifelong friendships and characteristics that move my life in a positive direction every day.

我出身于军人家庭。在我出生以前直到上高中期间，我父亲都是一名海军陆战队的军官。十四年间，我们搬了十二次家。当人们得知这个情况时，他们会问，“你都是怎样结交朋友的？肯定很难吧。”

但我并不觉得有什么难的。情况恰恰相反。每一次搬家都是成长和冒险的契机。

我母亲告诉我：“离开你这里的好朋友也许会让你难过，但在我们要搬去的地方，你将会交到新朋友。”

我逐渐体会到她说的没错。

虽然我离开了好朋友，但是我不曾害怕过搬家，也不曾在离开一个军事基地去往另一个的时候流过泪。在每个基地，我都可以和很多小孩子交朋友。军人家庭里的小孩相互之间的关系都很亲近。

军队的调动让我学会了接纳。我们应该欢迎而不是回避差异。我明白了，不管对方来自哪里，与自己有多么不相同，我们总会有共同语言，并可以在此基础上建立起友谊。

成年之后，那些搬家经历令我受益匪浅。结识不同背景的人使我具备了快速融入一群陌生人当中的能力。作为生在军人家庭的孩子，我不会等着别人和我交朋友；我会主动上前介绍自己。在派对上，如果我看见有人孤零零一人，我会带着笑容接近他。在医生的诊室里，如果我看见有人独自坐着，我会和他攀谈。是的，可能有时对方不会接受我的友好，但有了第一句“你好”之后，就多了个一生的挚友，这样的几率总是存在的。

我至今还和几位儿时的伙伴保持着联系。我去加利福尼亚州的时候，卡伦会给我提供住处。我去弗吉尼亚州的时候，伊丽莎白会接待我。我们住得并不近，也并不常见面，但是我们珍惜彼此的友谊，珍惜过去在军人家庭里长大所特有的冒险经历。

由于自己作为军人子弟的经历，我在成年之后朋友众多，且他们的背景各异。他们使我的生活充满了活力。他们使我成为一个更好的人，在我低落的时候给我支持，而对于我的缺点，他们都给予包容。

作为一个军人的孩子，我没法说“我在这座房子里住了二十年”，但我却幸运地和一些人建立了绵延一生的友谊，培养了良好的品格，使我的生活每天都朝着积极的方向前进。

12） stay in touch with 与……保持联系 13） upbringing ［'ʌpbrɪŋɪŋ］ n. 教育，培养 14） dynamic ［daɪ'næmɪk］ adj. 有活力的

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