Birthday speech for a parent or grandparent

Good evening, everyone. Today we celebrate the [60th/75th] birthday of my dear [father/mother/grandfather/grandmother]. [He/She] has spent a lifetime looking after all of us and asking for nothing. From [him/her] we learnt to work honestly, to share what we have and to keep our word. [Relation], thank you for every sacrifice we noticed and the many we did not. We wish you good health and many happy years. Happy birthday!

Good evening, dear family and friends. Thank you for coming to celebrate a very special person: my [relation], [Name], who turns [age] today.

It is hard to describe someone you have known all your life. So let me tell you what I see when I think of [him/her]. I see [a true picture, for example: a man leaving for work on a cycle before sunrise, or a woman rolling rotis while helping with homework]. I see someone who always ate last and always said, "I am not hungry, you take it."

[Relation] did not give us long lectures. [He/She] taught by doing. From [him/her] I learnt that a promise is to be kept even when it is inconvenient. That a guest must never leave without eating. That you return what you borrow, and a little more. I did not value these lessons as a child. I do now, every single day.

There were years that were not easy for our family. [Relation] carried that weight so quietly that we children hardly knew. Only now, with responsibilities of our own, do we understand what it must have taken.

[Relation], today we want you to do something difficult: sit, rest and let us look after you. You have earned it many times over.

On behalf of the whole family, thank you for your love, your hard work and your example. We pray for your good health and long life. Everyone, please join me: happy birthday, [Relation]!