Behind My Red Door

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Actions Speak Loudly



My sweet daughter Jen sent me this email and it brought tears to my eyes.




When you thought I wasn't looking...

I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to,
and I learned to trust in Him.

I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

I saw how you handled your responsibilities,
even when you did not feel good,
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked at you and wanted to say,

'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'






As parent, we spend years and years raising our children and hoping that they turn out to be good human beings and that they will take in all the lessons you have tried to instill in them.

At this point in our lives, it is so rewarding to now have adult children who tell us that

they appreciate all the hard work and sacrifices we made for them.

That they even appreciate the rules we enforced and responsibilities we gave them.

That the time we spent on them and with them is so much more important

than any thing we could have given them.


Until next time - hugs, Linda