Once I spoke at a high school. After the speech, the principal asked me to see a special student. An 1 had kept the boy home, but he had expressed an interest in meeting me, and it would mean a great deal to him. I agreed.
He was Matthew. 2 he was born, the doctor told his parents that he would not live to see five, then they were told 3 would not make it to ten. Now he was thirteen. He wanted to meet me because I was a gold-medal weight lifter.
I spent over an hour talking to Matthew. He spoke about 4 and succeeding and seeking（追寻）his dreams.
When we finished talking, I went to my 5 and pulled out the first gold medal I won and put it around his neck. I told him he was more of a winner and knew more about 6 and overcoming obstacles（克服障碍）than I ever would. He looked at it for a while, then took it off and handed it 7 to me. He said, “You are a champion. You earned that medal. Someday when I get to the Olympics and win my own medal, I will show it to you.”
Last summer I got the news that Matthew had8 and a letter Matthew had written to me a few days before:
Dear Rick,
My mom said I should send you a thank-you letter. The doctors are 9 to tell me that I don't have long to live any more. But I still smile as much as I can.
I told you that in the future I was going to the Olympics and win a gold medal. But I know now I'll 10 . I know I'm a champion, and God knows that too. When I get to Heaven, God will give me my medal and when you get there, I will show it to you.
Thank you for loving me.
Your friend
Matthew
