淑娟姐的菜籃

昨天妻子的中山女中校友、我們敬愛的謝淑娟姐因病辭世。當妻子告訴我這個噩耗時，我心中一陣巨痛，如同天空忽然塌下一角，令人難以承受。

淑娟姐平日裡總是笑容盈盈。她的笑，不是喧鬧的，而是一種恬靜而溫暖的笑，讓人一見便覺得安心、親切。她就住在不遠處的社區，每當自家後院冬瓜成熟、蔬菜豐收時，總會細心挑選，然後提到我們的辦公室前台，輕輕放下，說一句「這是自己種的，大家分一分」。那樣的身影、那樣的聲音，至今仍歷歷在目。

她的心地單純善良，正如她親手栽種的蔬果一般，不矯飾、不張揚，只是默默付出，默默滋養著周圍的人。每一次她走進來，笑容與菜香一同帶來的，不只是食材，而是一種最真摯的人情與關懷。

如今人已遠行，我們再也見不到她提著籃子的身影，再也聽不到她輕聲的叮嚀。想到這裡，心頭便一陣酸楚。可是她留給我們的溫暖，卻早已深深烙印在心底。那一份笑容，那一份慷慨，那一份質樸無華的善意，將長久活在我們的記憶裡，成為生命中不可磨滅的一部分。

願淑娟姐在天之靈，能夠帶著她的笑容與仁厚，走向另一個無病無痛的世界.

Sister Shu-Juan’s Basket

Yesterday, my wife’s high school classmate from Taipei Chungshan Girls’ School, our beloved Sister Hsieh Shu-Juan, passed away after an illness. When my wife told me the sorrowful news, a wave of grief struck my heart, as if the sky itself had suddenly collapsed.

Throughout her life, Sister Shu-Juan was accompanied by her smile. It was never loud or showy, but always gentle and warm—like the morning light that quietly comforts those it touches. She lived not far from us, and whenever winter melons ripened in her backyard or her garden yielded its bounty, she would carefully pick the freshest, place them in a basket, and bring them to our office front desk. With her familiar smile, she would softly say, “These are from my garden, please share them.”

That basket carried more than vegetables—it carried her pure and generous heart. Just like the melons and greens she grew, she was unpretentious, humble, yet nourishing to all around her. Each time she arrived with her gifts, her smile and the fragrance of her harvest brought with them not only food, but the most genuine form of care and affection.

Now she has journeyed far away. We will no longer see that familiar figure carrying her basket, nor hear her gentle words. The thought alone brings an ache to the heart. Yet the warmth she gave us has already been etched deeply within our souls. Her smile, her generosity, her simple and selfless kindness will remain like a lamp, forever illuminating our memories, an indelible part of our lives.

May Sister Shu-Juan’s spirit, radiant with her smile and compassion, find rest in a world free of pain. And in our hearts, her basket will always be a cherished treasure.