A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

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 saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,
and I learned we have to take care of each other and family.

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 be 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."

- Written by a former child.