THERE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

This Wednesday, in HC class, I heard the song "Thankful", which made me think a lot about my past experience. Especially what I have on my birthday.

Last Saturday was my 20th birthday. At first I thought no one would remember my birthday because everyone was busy with the new semester, and there was no sign that my friends remembered it. Moreover, even my parents seemed to forget my birthday in that they did not mention it for the whole winter vacation. Usually they will celebrate my birthday and give me gifts before I go back to university. However this time, I got nothing and felt despondent.

It was 12:00 pm when I was waiting for my birthday alone. Suddenly, I got a message from my parents wishing me a happy birthday. I was so happy that they did not forget it. And my dear friends – Sherry, Kate and Jane – made the birthday even more valuable and impressed. Sherry gave me a lovely chicken toy, Kate and Jane held a party for me and prepared a nice cake; in addition, I got a box of chocolates from them, saying that may you a sweet and wonderful life just like the chocolates. I was so surprised and moved by their kindness, it became the most unforgettable birthday I have ever had.

This experience is valuable for me because it makes me start to rethink of the relationship between me and my parents as well as me and my friends. Also, I learn to be thankful and cherish people around me.

In the past 20 years, I always took my parents’ love and care for granted: it is their duty to prepare three meals a day, do the laundry and clean up the room for me. They are the ones who should always ready to solve problems for me; and of course, they should remember my birthday and give me a big surprise. So when I believed my parents forgot my birthday, I was really upset. However, at the moment I got the message wishing me a happy, safe and sound life, I felt thankful for not forgetting my birthday. The message became the best gift I have ever had. Maybe this is called “one will never cherish it until it has gone”. I once thought I lost the care from my parents, so now I cherish it more than before.

In addition, I realized there are much more things which I should be thankful for. Especially on my birthday, I want to thank my parents for giving birth to me 20 years ago. It was on that day when I came to see the world. Also on that day, mum suffered from all kinds of terrible pains in order to give birth to me. I want to be thankful for my parents who brought me up, providing me with a sufficient life. When I was at home, everyday, mum got up at six o’clock to prepare breakfast for me. I know she was as sleepy as I did, but she never let me go hungry. However, sometimes, I blamed my mum just because the porridge was too hot or I did not like dumplings as my breakfast. I was a mean person at that time, I think. It also reminded me about my father, who took me to school and brought me back home for 3 years when I was in middle school. He was always punctual and appeared at the school gate on time. But I still would be very unpleasant if he got late for five or ten minutes occasionally. What I never thought about was how many times I made my father wait for me for more than 30 minutes, when I was chatting or playing with my classmates. It was dad who kept waiting for me at the school gate, no matter it was a hot summer or cold winter, while I was sitting in the comfortable classroom, enjoying the air conditioner. After recalling past, I feel shamed and sorrow for what I did to my parents in the past 20 years, and I realize that there are endless things to thank my parents.

Also, I should thank my friends – Sherry, Jane and Kate – whom I once thought I was gradually alienating from. Since I had a boyfriend, I seldom hang out with them. Last semester I just had dinner with Jane twice while in the past we were almost together every day. I am glad that our friendship is still stable and never fades away. My 20th birthday reminded me that it was Sherry who cooked dumplings for me when I cannot stop crying because of quarrelling with my boyfriend. It was Jane who accompanied with me when I was lonely and my boyfriend was busy. Also, it was Kate who gave up her date but took care of me when I was sick. I feel so lucky and am thankful to have all of them around me. I will cherish this friendship more in the future.

In conclusion, the experience of my 20th birthday is unforgettable and valuable in that I realize there are so many people who love me and care me. I feel happy to recall lots of beautiful experiences I had before, but sorrow of did not cherish them in the past. From this experience, I learn to be thankful for people who love me and cherish them as much as I can. I am already 20 years old, although it seems late to understand the importance of cherishing, I hope I can do my best to change myself, because there is so much to be thankful for.