（五）
Having lived in the house for so long，we found our kitchen looked old.We decided it was time to __1__ the kitchen，and my husband and I were discussing __2__ colors.The children，sitting nearby，suddenly all spoke together：“Not the measuring stick.”
“No，” I __3__ them.“Not the measuring stick.”
The measuring stick isn't a （an）__4__ stick but the kitchen side of the door between our kitchen and dining room.Along the edge we've __5__ each child's growth by making a mark showing his or her __6__on every birthday.Over the years so many colored pens，pencils and markers have been used，that now，this white door is somewhat like an abstract painting.
Names and dates show different __7__，and I can tell by the script（手迹）who measured whom.An eightyearold measured her threeyearold sister，a grandchild measured her grandmother，my husband measured me.At the parties，when this door __8__ back and forth frequently，friends stop to __9__ the names and dates.When we ask if they would like to be always remembered，they usually smile __10__ and go back right up into place，__11__ to be measured.
Many of those listed on the door are still __12__；some have stopped.Some remain with us only in __13__.When my mother came to see my eldest daughter graduate from university，we measured her too.It was her last visit to our home.
