我在西北临终关怀医院做志愿者的旅程

湖北十堰市郧阳中学 左 琴

My journey to becoming a female hospice volunteer began when my parents were older and required more support.

I knew the responsibility to care for their needs would fall on me,as I was their only child.I loved my mom and dad,and despite having a very busy life,I did everything I could to help them.When the time finally came that they needed more help than I could provide,we made the decision together to move them into a long-term care facility where they would get around the clock support.

Even after my parents died and I stopped going to the long-term care home,I would fondly remember the other residents and wonder how they were doing.My heart went out to them,as many of them didn't have family to visit with them.

A few days later I heard a Hospice Northwest ad on the radio for their spring training.I felt led to this work,so I applied to their volunteer program that night.Several days later I received a call from the volunteer coordinator,who invited me in for an initial screening interview.During that meeting,I signed up for their training program.The training consisted of 13 online modules and four in-person sessions that covered a variety of practical and useful topics.

On the day of my first visit I was nervous,but excited to meet Mary.I knew I had the support of Hospice Northwest behind me.A schedule was developed that was convenient for both myself and my new client.As the visits progressed,I learned about Mary's family and enjoyed hearing all the stories from her life when she was younger.

Sometimes she shared things with me that were difficult for her to talk to anyone else about.In her final moments,I was by her side,holding her hand so she knew she was not alone.Mary's memory will stay with me always.I feel truly blessed to have been a part of her last journey.

Reading Check

1.Why were the author's parents sent to a long-term care facility?

A.They were badly ill.

B.The author was very busy.

C.They wanted to live a peaceful life.

D.The author couldn't offer more help than his parents needed.

2.How did the author get the volunteering job?

A.By answering questions over the radio.

B.By attending a screening interview.

C.By giving the volunteer coordinator a call.

D.By providing her working experience.

3.Who is Mary according to the text?

A.The coordinator.

B.The author's partner.

C.The author's patient.

D.The author's colleague.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

When the time finally came that they needed more help than I could provide,we made the decision together to move them into a long-term care facility where they would get around the clock support.

【翻译】__________________________________________________________________________

【点石成金】When引导时间状语从句，that引导定语从句，修饰time，where引导非限制性定语从句，修饰先行词a long-term care facility。