In our lives, someone we know by1often encourages us.

    Early one morning, I opened the window to find that the sun was shining everywhere. The sunshine warmed my face, making me comfortable. I started to play my beloved violin. When with all my efforts I was playing the climax (高潮部分) to the piece, a sound from next door got my attention.

    I was attracted and had a special idea: "How wonderful if we played together!" I began to play pieces by Beethoven with my neighbour, one piece after another.

    We played together so well that I was very interested in2she or he looked. Each time I thought about3playing together, I would move my lip, completely unnoticeably.

    However, I couldn't understand why the violinist next door never responded (回应) when I knocked on the door. I was terribly disappointed.

    A year later, I took part in a violin competition.4the event, I made a new friend,5name was Rita. "Let's welcome contestant Number 10, Rita," the master of the ceremony announced.

    This girl, who was my age, was deaf and dumb,6she had played the violin for eight years!

    I saw Rita7walk onto the stage. She put the violin between her neck and shoulder and began to perform.

    "The music is so8!" I said to myself.

    It was9that a girl who was deaf and dumb could play such wonderful music. The audience warmly welcomed her.

    What was even harder to believe was that the girl was my neighbour. It was fate that we should meet and become friends.

    Rita's story made me realize that life is not always sunny or poetic. Sometimes there are strong storms and setbacks (挫折) . However, no matter what you10, believe in yourself and work hard. You can succeed.

    My family has had a great influence on me. When I was a kid, I learnt how to work from my family. My mum would never let me get away when there was something to be done. I learnt the importance of education. My parents would give me 50 dollars if I got an A in school. They taught me how to use and save money. My mum taught me how to cook, how to clean, and basically everything I needed to know to live on my own. My dad taught me how to garden, how to do home improvement, how to treat women and girls with respect, and how to put other people's needs above my own, My brothers and sisters taught me how to make a decision in conflict (矛盾). I'm 22 now, and I'll get married next year. I learn things from my parent's marriage by examples. For example, I've never seen my parents really fight. They had disagreements, but they were always in control and never let anger get the best of them. I think that's great, and I'm going to work towards that in my marriage.

    I have a great family. I'm grateful that my parents choose to make it a great family.