Thank you for being with me on this very special day
- those of you who have come a long distance and those who
are neighbors and friends I see each day.
You have all been, in some way, part of my family, since I came
to this country as an adopted orphan from China.
I think back now on 11 years of kind words, sweet smiles, and
the warmth of love and support from so many people.
I will treasure these memories forever.
Almost like a fairy tale, I went from an orphanage full of
crying babies to feeling like I was the Princess of the Bedroom,
with cheerful, caring faces looking down on me.
I've grown a lot since then and my life has changed in many
small ways, but one thing has never changed - knowing that there
are so many people who are there and will always be there for me
whenever I need help and care.
I would like to give special thanks to so many of you, but I
wouldn't know where to start or stop, and I wouldn't want
anyone to feel left out.
Of course, I have to thank my father. He was my Bat Mitzvah tutor,
just as he was the first person to help me feel that God was
watching over me. He taught me many things as I was growing up.
Best of all, he has taught me to know that life is not a race,
that I should enjoy just being myself, and that I should cherish
love - the love I feel for other people and other living things
as much as the love they give me in return.
I have had a wonderful life so far. This day may be the end of my
childhood, but I know it's also the beginning of an exciting future -
and I hope and pray that we shall all meet again many times in the
years ahead.
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