It Runs in the Family
My childhood had its ups and downs, but with my mom, who was so supportive, I was destined to succeed in life.
She never 1any of my school events. When I graduated from college, I was selected to give the commencement address(毕业演讲). Just like old time, my mother listened to my2 over and over again. That reminded me of a time when I used to be3by my mother. She always laughed just too loud. I respected my mother, but just wanted her to be more like normal mothers and less4.During my speech in a statewide speech contest, she moved her lips as if she was coaching me. I worried other people would think she was talking to herself.
By the time I made it to the finals, I had given my mother strict conditions. I instructed her not to mouth the words to my speech. And I5 under no circumstances should she Jump up and down and make whooping noises if I won. This was the final speech contest, and we had to look the part.
When I took to the stage and delivered my presentation, one of the most flawless performances of my 16 years on earth, I realized my mother was sitting with her face turned toward the door rather than the stage-obeying my orders. I realized that she knew all the words to my speech--just to show her6for me. Suddenly, I knew then that I had no desire to win without my mother seeing it and7in whatever way she wanted to.
Near the end of my speech, I walked onto the main floor. I wanted Momma's8. My mother never moved, desperately trying to do what I had asked her to do: Be someone else. While the rest of the crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation, Momma was9. When they handed me the scholarship money, Momma allowed herself to simply smile.
Without our traditional crazy celebration, my10felt empty. At that moment, I realized you can't enjoy where you are going if you deny where you are from. I let Momma know from that moment on she could whoop and holler and be herself.
