Thanksgiving —My Parents' Eyes
Feng Weiwei
What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Do you picture a time of thankfulness towards God, or is it merely one of the occasions as eating, partying or watching football games?
Thanksgiving Day, as celebrated in North America, is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by these nations and their citizens. However, to many people, its meaning is lost. It has become simply another day for huge meals, dinner parties, get-togethers or reunions.
Sadly, the latter is what Thanksgiving has become to most. They have forgotten why the day was established. Its meaning has slowly deteriorated, and is now almost completely lost under a cloud of media hype, sales pitches, marketing tactics and blitz commercialism. While most of us are familiar with the traditional representation of the original Thanksgiving, it is helpful to examine the purpose for which it was first celebrated. By doing this, the day’s meaning will be firmly established. And, the act of thanksgiving should be done everywhere—everyday—by everyone! It is not just an American holiday; neither should it be limited to one day a year.
Although we may meet all kinds of difficulties in our daily life, but if we have a Thanksgiving heart, it is like the rainbow after the storm.
There are so many things in our lives we should give thanks to， such as the air, the sunshine, our lovely friends and dear teachers. But the people I mostly want to give thanks to are my parents.
Who gives me birth? Who brings me up? Who dedicates his/her whole life to me? My parents.
　　Who gives me food? Who gives me clothes? Who gives me care? My parents.
　　My parents don’t want to get any reward from me. Not only do my parents, all the parents in the world charge anything from their children. They give us everything they can; they spend their whole life loving us. In the world, if someone is deserved our love, it is no one but our parents. It is our parents who give us the most important thing in our lives. It is also them who bring us up day by day. We can get even everything we want from our parents, though our family may not be rich. We may cry before them when we are hurt, and we can laugh in front of them when we feel happy. We get what we want from our parents, but we pay nothing for them. All love should be given to our parents.
Now, I still remember clearly what my parents have done to me. When I was in the kindergarten, my parents liked to buy some chocolate for me. One day, I was eating happily. My parents came in and I gave them a piece of it. They said loudly: “Oh! No! Honey, we don't like chocolate at all. Don't care about us, my little girl.” I didn't really understand their words until I was in school. My dear parents, you don't always mean what you said. You like chocolate but you love me more.
During my childhood, if they had spare time, they would read books and newspapers, so they knew many stories. After supper, I often sat in our living room, listening to them telling interesting stories. What’s more, they often took me out to play on Sundays. When I was playing, they would remind me not to waste so much time or I would fall behind my class. Although they inspired me to study hard, they never allowed me to study late at night. They loved me very much but did not allow me to do anything wrong, such as smoking, drinking, or gambling. Of course, they didn’t do such things themselves. They set me good examples.
What do my parents leave me most in my heart? They have pairs of keen eyes which can speak. With their eyes, they observed my mood, gave me courage and made me strong. Whenever I encounter difficulties, their eyes will encourage me and help me cheer up. Therefore, I could face the difficulties.
When I was a baby learning to walk, my parents always lent me a hand and encouraged me to get up while I fell down. As I finally threw myself into their arms, their eyes smiled with praise. After I entered the school, parents’ eyes still encouraged me. Once I failed an exam, my parents helped me find out the reasons instead of blaming me. Later as I grew up, I met with more difficulties. But whenever I was frustrated, their eyes always gave me hope and encouragement. At last I overcame the difficulties. Now I have grown up and become more independent, but whenever I come across setbacks, their eyes are always with me encouraging me wherever I go.
　　It will be the time for my birthday soon. At last, on this special occasion, I want to say to my parents: My dear parents, you are the most wonderful parents in the world. I can't say how much I love you. I don't know how much I love you. You are with me when I am happy or sad. You support me in times of good or bad. But I can do noting for you. I just pray that my parents and all the parents around the world can have happy and healthy lives!