Good evening dear teachers and fellow participants. I am very glad to make a speech here. I hope you will enjoy it. How time flies!Now I am a senior high school student and become an independent and brave girl. When I go out for a walk, breathing the free and fresh air, I always tell myself：all that I have now should be owed to my family, especially my parents. It is they who create my new life.
When I was a child, I was very naughty. Even though I was a girl, what I did showed I had the same characteristics as some boys living near my house. At that time, I preferred to play water and climb trees. There was no doubt that I dropped into the water and wetted my clothes. On hearing the word, my mother took me home in a hurry and dressed me in a clean dress, and then she gave me a good beating. I didn’t have any reaction but cry as loudly as I can. Originally I hoped the cry would change her mind and she might no longer beat me. However, it was just my sweet dream. I was still beaten by her frequently because of my bad habit and behavior. My father also scolded me hard, which was due to his bad temper. So the impression my parents made on me was very strict and they lost their temper easily, it seemed as if I was not their daughter and they didn’t love me at all.
After my little brother’s birth, my life changed a lot.
My brother was also a naughty boy; he always liked to make troubles. Sometimes he broke a plate, a bowl or something. He pointed out to my mum that it was I who did it. My mother often hated someone who did that, so I had no choice but to tolerate all scold and beat for him. Therefore, I was fed up with him, and we often quarreled with each other. Finally my mother taught me a lesson and reminded me now that I was the elder sister; I should take care of him and try to be patient with him. The reasons didn’t convince me. On the contrary, I thought she had a preference for my brother, it made me uncomfortable.
In reality, I experienced a lot in my childhood. I suffered from many diseases, which brought a lot of troubles for my parents, but they managed to cure me and did their best to let me enjoy the bright sunshine as others. However, what I got from it was not the happiness from their care, but the sigh of my miserable life. How foolish I was﹗
While I was studying in the Junior High School, what impressed me most was the quarrel with my mother. At that moment, my father worked in a remote place for my tuition and expenses of the whole family. I was in a boarding school so that I could only go home over the weekend. What a precious opportunity I had﹗Nevertheless, I lost it. After I returned home, I still quarreled with my mother. I complained that she did wrong to me and could not understand my feeling—actually I had never spoken it, I just keep a diary instead. I hated her preference for my brother. Later on, on my grade 2, I seemed to have realized I had done something wrong in the past. I was very regretful, and decided to change it. As a result, I promised myself that I must study hard to live up to their expectations. I made the best of my spare time and spent it on my study. At last, I entered into a Jiaoling Senior High School.
During my three years in the school, I really studied diligently, and I had never forgotten those words of encouragement my parents gave me. Whenever I was frustrated, I could always get the comfort from it even though I couldn’t escape the misfortune. One day, my mother had a car accident. The moment I heard the news, my head spun. She had been in hospital for a long time but I couldn’t see her and even look after her since my father didn’t allow me to do so. I blamed myself all the time ever since. I wished I had replaced her to bear the pain. Shortly the new session was coming, I threw into a dilemma. In the end, I made up my mind to quit the school. my father urged me to go to school but I didn’t agree. The result was that my father and my head teacher managed to persuade me to go on with my study. From then on, I understood the real meaning of my life. I treasured every chance, sparing no effort to my study. My mother was treated for a period of time and finally she recovered. A stone hanging up in my he
art was put down. With my efforts to master more knowledge, I was admitted to go to the university. On hearing the exciting news, my parents smiled happily.
In a word, my life was full of ups and downs, but it did not let me down. Now, even though I can’t see my parents because of the long distance, I insist on calling my parents up twice a week, chatting with them. Without them, my future would be in darkness. On Thanksgiving Day, I want to say “I love you” to them in a loud voice. I also thank all the parents for the great efforts they make. In the meantime, I wish them be happy.
We are more than we can express to our parents, who literally shaped us from an exciting idea to mature independence. First, let us give thanks to them for having the commitment to dedicate their lives to raise children. Putting aside one’s own selfish pleasures and conveniences for the sake of another is the hallmark of a loving person. To those with children, let us give thanks to you, where deferred gratification is a daily challenge. Next, let us give thanks to parents for protecting children. Kids are vulnerable, and keeping them free from harm allows them to develop in a context of support and security. Kids without this safety often are thrust prematurely into the adult world and later feel saddened that they missed the opportunities of growing up without conflict.
Finally, let us give thanks for parents as teachers. Children are born as fairly undifferentiated personalities, and parents, over the years, transmit literally millions of messages which eventually shape children’s personalities. While conflict or self-absorbed messages can have a negative effect on a child’s developing personality, messages based upon parent’s reflected values can teach positive habits commonly associated with personal happiness and success. This teaching is continuous throughout childhood and probably throughout life. The more thoughtful the message, the more prepared the child is to confront the developmental challenges of life.
So, let us give thanks for good parenting -- the commitment, protection and teaching which develops a child’s best qualities and benefits the entire community.