一生须做的父母八问

　　我们大多数时间都与父母生活在一起，但是这些时间常被琐事虚度掉了。

　　Time is short and unfortunately we are all getting older. There may never be a better time than now to have a meaningful conversation with your parent or parents.

　　生命苦短，我们都在不断老去。现在正是时候与父母敞开心扉，来一场意味深长的谈话。

　　You sometimes hear people say that they regret missed opportunities while their parents were alive and that there were things they wish they had spoken about. Make sure that you seize the chance while you can.

　　你不时听到别人说，自己有多么后悔没有在父母在世的时候与他们多说说话。现在你有这个机会，一定不能留下遗憾。

　　1. Can you tell me a story about your parents or grandparents?

　　跟我说说你们的父母或者祖父母的故事吧？

　　Family history is much more than a family tree and a photo album. It is also a collection of stories which become your family folklore. Be sure to have some stories about your ancestors that you can pass on to your descendants.

　　家族史不仅仅是一张族谱和一本家庭相册那么简单。它还包括家族中发生的各种奇闻异事。知道一点关于你家祖先的故事，以后也可以讲给你的后人听。

　　2. Can you tell me a story about when you were a child?

　　说说你们小时候的故事吧？

　　Stories about their adventures, hopes, fears and relationships with friends and parents can be fascinating and revealing. Why not record them on video?

　　父母们的那些冒险、希望、害怕，还有和朋友们在一起的小故事往往都很有趣，而且发人深省。为什么不把这些小故事用摄像机录下来呢？

　　3. Can you tell me a story about me as a child?

　　说一个关于我小时候的故事吧？

　　Your parents will remember funny or embarrassing things about you as a little child. These will be handy when one day your child asks you question 2 above.

　　父母们对于你小时候的那些淘气事、丢人的事都会记得很牢。问问父母这些故事，当你老的时候，你的孩子问你小时候的故事时，你就知道怎么回答了。

　　4. What is the one piece of advice you would like to share with me?

　　你们有什么人生道理要与我分享的吗？

　　Your parents have a lifetime of experience and there are still things that you can learn from them. They may share something philosophical, funny or silly. Whatever it is it can pass into the family sayings and mythology.

　　父母们人生经验丰富，你可以从他们身上学到很多东西。他们会跟你说一些充满哲理的话，也会告诉你那些逗趣的事或者傻事，不管是什么，这些人生道理都将成为家训和家庭传奇。