"When You Thought I Wasn't Looking"

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.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
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.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
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.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night
and I felt loved and safe.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
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.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw how you handled your responsibilities even when you didn't feel good,
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to become everything that I could be.



When you thought I wasn't looking,
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."



Each of us, parent or friend, influence the life of a child.
Today I said a prayer for you. How will you touch the life of someone today?

Just by sending this to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others.



Author Unknown

~Index to Poems~