Remember the day I borrowed your brand
new car and dented it?
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach,
and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, 'I told you so.' But you didn't.
Do you remember the time I flirted with all
the guys to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave, but you didn't.
Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie
all over your car rug?
I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance
was formal and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't.
Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do.
But you put up with me, and loved me, and protected me.
There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you
when you returned from Vietnam.
But you didn't.
这是一个伤感的故事。
一个普通美国人的家庭，母女相依为命，在她4岁的时候，父亲应征入伍，调遣越南，作战阵亡。4岁的孩子对父亲印像模糊，但母亲时常追忆往事，翻阅照片，努力使父亲继续活在她们中间。父亲丧生以后，母亲未再婚。后来母亲病逝，女儿悲恸之余，收拾遗物，在母亲一只收藏纪念品的小盒子里，发现一首母亲亲笔写的诗：
记得那一天
我借过你的新车
而我撞凹了它
我以为你会杀了我
但你没有
还记得那一次
我拖你去海滩
而你说天会下雨
果然下了
我以为你会说
“我告诉过你啦。”
但你并没有
你记不记得那一次
我向所有的男子挑逗
来引你妒忌
而你又没有
你记不记得那一次
我在你新车的地毯上
吐了满地的草莓饼
我以为你一定会厌恶我
但你没有
记不记得那一回
我忘记告诉你
那个舞会是穿礼服的
而你只穿牛仔裤到场
我以为你必然放弃我了
但你没有
是的，有许多许多的事你全都没有做
而你容忍我钟爱我保护我
有许多许多的事我要回报你
当你从越南回来
但是你没有
