Table for Two

二人餐桌

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歷歷在目。就在那一天，我們的雙胞胎兒子查德和布拉德將各自的物品裝上車，離開了家，開始了他們的大學生活。那個早晨，我早早起了床，一邊擦去眼淚一邊準備早餐。我坐在“五人餐桌”前，意識到我們一家人的生活將從此改變。

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，我注意到廚房里異常安靜。一家五口坐下來吃早餐，卻沒有一個人說話。其實大家都不知道該說些什么。當然，男孩子們周末會回來，但即使是這樣，我也知道，我們家的生活肯定不會跟以前一樣了。

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.

兒子們在家里的每個房間都流連了一會兒，確保沒有遺漏什么需要的東西。我為他們準備了一個迷你冰箱，裝好飲料和他們最愛的冰凍零食，又找了一個盒子，裝滿了必備的食物。想到他們那天晚上睡覺的時候可能會肚子餓，我便清空了錢包，把里面的一點現金放到他們手里。

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.

我們一起送他們出門。查德和布拉德給了我大大的擁抱，然后迅速上了車。我揮著手向他們道別，看著他們開車離去。車子慢慢駛離我的視線，我不禁啜泣起來。我在車道上坐了下來，雙手捂著臉，淚流不止，很久沒有像那樣痛哭了。丈夫羅伊想盡辦法安慰我，但我看見他的眼里也飽含憂傷。

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，女兒貝基離家時，我們同樣也經歷了類似的感傷。畢竟，我們那時已經有點習慣了“三人餐”。很快就要變成“二人餐”了，我們不免有些難過。

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這個時候，總有苦樂參半的感情來襲。他們一方面為孩子們感到驕傲和快樂，一方面又覺得難過和憂傷。痛苦的片段充斥著他們的腦海。盡管我無法恰如其分地將這種感情解釋清楚，但仍清晰記得自己在開始新的生活篇章之時是一種怎樣的心情。

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.

新的生活篇章意味著電話的響鈴次數減少了，房子也比以前安靜了。我渴望再次看到凌亂的臥室，也渴望再為兄弟姐妹之間的爭吵調停。最糟糕的感觸是覺得自己不再被需要了。當然了，孩子們能自食其力我也感到自豪。我深知他們不會挨餓。但我還是希望哪怕再多一次為他們早早起床、準備午飯。我渴望被需要的感覺。

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.

然而時光荏苒，現在，我和羅伊已經習慣了新奇有趣的“二人餐”，享受兩人世界。每一晚都是約會之夜。我們通常在外面的餐館就餐。“二人餐”還有一個額外的好處：比一大家子出去吃飯要便宜多了。

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.”

我得承認，我還是很想念孩子們，想念和他們在一起的往昔時光。同時，我也得說，比起以前，我更享受和丈夫——我的夢中情人——在一起的時間。改變有時候并不容易。如果你也是那些即將和上大學的子女道別的父親或母親, 容許我給點建議，好讓你應對未來那些艱難孤獨的日子，熬過每一周甚至每一月。但我也想告訴你，生活的新篇章也即將到來，在那之前，請堅持住。重拾你對愛人的誓言。當你走進最愛的餐廳時，用鏗鏘有力的聲音說：“二人桌，謝謝?！?/p>

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?

羅伊與我一直享受對方的陪伴。孩子們離開后，我們從對方身上更是得到莫大的支持。這些年以來，很多事情都發生了變化，我們對彼此的愛也隨著時間日漸加深。我們現在會一起做先前做夢都沒想過會做的事情。孩子們時常問起，為什么我們比之前更充實、更快樂了。是不是因為在兩人用餐的珍貴時光里，我們彼此更加相愛了呢?