I was speechless. I had rarely heard Dad speak with such feeling about anything, much less theaccordion. From then on, I practiced without parents' making me.
我无言以对。我很少听到父亲说话这么动情，更何况是说的手风琴。从此我练琴不用父母逼了。
The evening of the concert Mom wore glittery earrings and more makeup than I couldremember. Dad got out of work early, put on a suit and tie, and slicked down his hair withVitalis. They were an hour early, so we sat in the living room chatting nervously. I got theunspoken message that playing this one song was a dream come true for them.
音乐会那天晚上，妈妈戴上亮晶晶的耳环，脸上没见她这么打扮过。爸爸早早就下了班，扎上领带，一身套装，头发用发油梳得溜光。他们提前一小时就打扮完了，我们便坐在客厅里紧张地聊天。这时我得到一个无言的启示：演奏这么一首歌是实现他俩的一个梦想。
At the theater nervousness overtook me as I realized how much I wanted to make my parentsproud. Finally, it was my turn. I walked to the lone chairon stage and performed "Are YouLonesome Tonight?" without a mistake. The applause spilled out, with a few hands stillclapping after others hadstopped. I was lightheaded, glad my ordeal was over.
在电影院，我意识到我是真想使父母感到自豪时，简直紧张死了。终于轮到我上场了。我走向台上孤零零的椅子，演奏了《今晚你可寂寞?》没出一点儿错。一时掌声四起，落下后还有几个人在拍手。我高兴得轻飘飘的，总算熬到头了。
After the concert Mom and Dad came backstage. The way they walked—heads high, facesflushed—I knew they were pleased. My mother gave me a big hug. Dad slipped an arm aroundme and held me close. "You were just great," he said. Then he shook my hand and was slow tolet it go.
音乐会散后妈妈和爸爸来到后台。瞧他们走路那神气——昂首挺胸，红光满面，我就知道他们很高兴。母亲紧紧拥抱了我。爸爸伸过一只胳臂搂住我不放。“你真是好样儿的!”他说，然后又握住我的手，久久不松开。
As the years went by, the accordion drifted to the background of my life. Dad asked me to playat family occasions, but the lessons stopped. When I went to college, the accordion stayedbehind in the hall closet next to my father's violin.
随着岁月的流逝，那架手风琴在我的生活中也渐渐隐退了。爸爸只要我在家有节庆的时候拉一拉，课是不上了。我上大学，那琴就放在门厅的壁橱里，挨着父亲的小提琴。
A year after my graduation, my parents moved to a house in a nearby town. Dad, at 51, finallyowned his own home. On moving day, I didn't have the heart to tell him he could dispose ofthe accordion, so I brought it to my own home and put it in the attic.
我毕业一年后，父母搬到了附近一个镇上。父亲在51岁终于有了自己的房子。搬家那天，我不忍心告诉他可以把手风琴卖了，于是我把它拿回我自己的家，放在阁楼上。
There it remained, a dusty memory until one afternoon several years later when my twochildren discovered it by accident. Scott thought it was secret treasure; Holly thought a ghostlived inside. They were both right.
它就呆在那儿，一件灰尘扑扑的纪念物，直到好几年后的一天下午，我的两个孩子偶然发现了它。司各特以为是个秘藏的珍宝，荷里以为里头住了个精灵。他俩都讲对了。
When I opened the case, they laughed and said, "play it, play it." Reluctantly,I strapped on theaccordion and played some simple songs. I was surprised! my skills hadn't rusted away. Soonthe kids were dancing in circles and giggluig. Even my wife, Terri, was laughing and clapping tothe beat. I wa samazed at their unbridled glee.
我一打开箱子，他们就笑了，说道：“拉拉，拉拉嘛。”我勉强套上琴的背带，拉了一些简单的歌曲。没想到我的琴法竟然没有荒疏。很。陕孩子们就转着圈子跳呀笑个不停。连我妻子特丽也乐呵呵地和着节奏拍起手来。他们那兴高采烈的痛快劲儿真让我吃惊。
My father's words came back to me: "Someday you'll have the chance I never had. Then you'IIunderstand."I finally knew what it meant to work hard and sacrifice for others. Dad had beenright all along: the most precious gift is to touch the hearts of those you love.
这时，父亲的话又回到我的脑海：“总有一天你会有我从来没有的机会。那时你就会明白的。” 我终于明白了为他人努力工作和做出牺牲的意义。爸爸始终是对的：打动你所爱的人的心才是最宝贵的礼物。
Later I phoned Dad to let him know that, at long last, I understood. Fumbling for the rightwords, I thanked him for the legacy it took almost 30 years to discover. "You're welcome," hesaid, his voice choked with emotion.
事后我打电话给爸爸，告诉他我终于明白过来了。我拙嘴笨舌地不知说什么好，只说我花了差不多30年的工夫才发现了他留给我的这笔财富，为此我感谢他。“不客气。”他说，嗓音因激动而哽咽了。
Dad never learned to coax sweet sounds from his violin. Yet he was wrong to think he wouldnever for his family. On that wonderful evening, as my wife and children laughed and danced, they heard my accordion. But it was my father's music.
爸爸从未学会从他那小提琴上拨出甜美的声音。但他以为他永远都不会为他的家人演奏乐曲，那是他错了。就在那个美妙的夜晚，我的妻儿又笑又跳，听着我拉手风琴。可那是我父亲的音乐。
