Love

当我老了，不再是原来的我。
请理解我，对我有一点耐心。
When I am old and no longer the one I used to be,
Please understand and be patient with me.


当我把菜汤洒到自己的衣服上时，当我忘记怎样系鞋带时，
请想一想当初我是如何手把手地教你。
When I spill food on my clothes, when i forget how to tie my shoes,
Please remember how I had once held your hands and taught you.


当我一遍又一遍地重复你早已听腻的话语，
请耐心听我说，不要打断我。
你小的时候，我不得不重复那个讲过千百遍的故事，直到你进入梦乡。
When I repeat over and over again words that bored you stiff,
Please be patient and listen and do not cut me off.
When you were little, I had to tell you the same story that had been told thousands of times until you drifted to sleep.


当我需要你帮我洗澡时，
请不要责备我。
还记得小时候我千方百计哄你洗澡的情形吗？
When I need you to help me take a bath,
Please don't get mad at me.
Do you remember how many ways I had to think of in order to coax you into taking a bath when you were young?


当我对新科技和新事物不知所措时，
请不要嘲笑我。
想一想当初我怎样耐心的回答你的每一个“为什么”。
When I am at a lost with new technology,
Please don't laugh at me.
Just think about how I had patiently answered your every "why is that so?"


当我由于双腿疲劳而无法行走时，
请伸出你年轻有力的手搀扶我。
就像你小时候学习走路时，我扶你那样。
When my legs are tired and I am too frail to walk,
Please extend your youthful and strong hands to hold me,
Just like the way I had held you when you learned how to walk.


当我忽然忘记我们谈话的主题时，
请给我一些时间让我回想，
其实对我来说，谈论什么并不重要，
只要你能在一旁听我说，我就很满足。
When I forget the subject of our conversation,
Please give me a little time to recall.
Actually, what we discuss is not important.
As long as you are willing to listen to me I am happy.


当你看着老去的我，请不要悲伤。
理解我，支持我，就像你刚开始学习如何生活时我对你那样。
When you see me grew old, don't be sad.
Understand me, support me, just like the way I treated you when you began to learn how to live.


当初我引导你走上人生的路，如今请陪伴我走完最后的路。
给我你的爱和耐心，我会抱以感激的微笑，
这微笑中凝结着我对你无限的爱。
I had led you to the path of living but now please accompany me to walk through life's last journey. Give me your love and patience and I will return with an appreciative smile; and in this smile is all the boundless love I have for you.


                                              -文章择选自墨西哥 “数学家庭” 二零零四年十一月号
             - Translated from a Mexican magazine, November issue, 2004.