Fifteen years ago, I worked in a local lumber mill (木材厂). The hours were 1. The work was dangerous. And the pay was low. Every day was a struggle physically. It was too hot in summer and too cold in winter. My back would burn with the 2 from the constant bending, lifting and carrying. My feet would ache from 3 the entire day. My fingers would bleed from the work that my hands were doing. T tried to keep my spirit up 4 I worked there, but day by day I felt that I was developing depression. Every morning, I would place Band-Aids (创可贴) around my fingers and 5my old heavy work shoes. Every night, I would drag myself home smelling of sweat and dust and collapse (坐下) on the sofa.
One evening I felt like T could 6 it no more. Why was I working myself to death there just to survive? Why couldn't I find a better job than that? Why was I having to go through all those things?
I wasn't really expecting an answer, but life loves to surprise me. As I struggled up the 7 to my front door, I found all three of my young children waiting for me with smiling faces. "Daddy, Daddy! M my daughter yelled. I 8 and picked her up in my arms. After hugging them all, I laughed for the first time in days and sat down 9. It was just the answer that I needed.
At last I moved on to a better job, 10 I never forgot the answer to my questions. We may have to work to live, but we live to love.
