A few years after Mom died, Dad handed me a plastic bag. That evening, I 36 the bag to find dozens of shells, each one 37 in white tissue paper and having Mom’s handwriting.
The shells were pretty 38 , but to Mom, they were evidence of her endlessly magical life and 39 me of the seashore trip with her. She was 61 when she 40 these shells, and already showing 41 of the lung disease that would kill her the next year. We knew something was 42 and mom needed an adventure. She suggested a dinner and a movie. But two friends and I had bigger 43 .
Mom had been to the ocean only twice, but she 44 the seashore. Her kitchen was decorated with souvenirs from those two trips. I called Mom and told her that we would 45 for Jersey Shore. Mom was so 46 that she screamed and Amber, her dog, who was sitting on her lap was 47 to jump onto the floor.
One of my favorite 48 on the road was a discussion about movies. Mom often got the titles wrong. “Ohhhh,” she said, “what was that movie about a teacher at the boys’ school?” Before anyone could 49 , she shouted, “I remember! The Dead Man’s Poet!” I looked in the rearview mirror and saw a back seat full of 50 . “Mom,” I said. “You mean Dead Poets Society?” “That’s it!” Mom yelled. 51 filled the car.
Once we got to Stone Harbor, she began to 52 the trip, greeting strangers and spending hours gathering shells.
The morning we left, I found her photographing every inch of her bedroom. “I don’t ever want to 53 this,” she said.
For a long time, Mom’s shells stayed 54 in a drawer. Last month, I 55 them again while searching for something else. I put them in a visible place as a reminder from a mother who never lost her sense of wonder.
36. A received B. opened C. checked D. packed
37. A. folded B. included C. trapped D. covered
38. A. amazing B. common C. lucky D. funny
39. A. reminded B. demanded C. informed D. warned
40. A. moved B. protected C. collected D. examined
41. A. signals B. scenes C. signs D. sights
42. A. wrong B. missing C. strange D. boring
43. A. cars B. days C. maps D. plans
44. A. remembered B. trusted C. loved D. respected
45. A. wait B. head C. look D. pay
46. A. encouraged B. relaxed C. surprised D. excited
47. A. frightened B. embarrassed C. disappointed D. pleased
48. A. reasons B. thoughts C. memories D. questions
49. A. realize B. add C. advise D. answer
50. A. confusion B. worry C. emotion D. peace
51. A. Pride B. Laughter C. Shouts D. Challenges
52. A. enjoy B. organize C. support D. take
53. A. decide B. forget C. believe D. mean
54. A. unexpected B. stuck C. unknown D. buried
55. A. mistook B. developed C. discovered D. prepared