I spent a good chunk of my Thursday with my mother. We went to her cardiologist appointment, made a brief stop at Daddy's grave, and on to the grocery store. I have talked about my parents often in this journal. I am not embellishing the truth when I say they were/are incredible people, and I am more than blessed to have them be my parents. While I might be the black sheep among their four daughters, I think I turned out pretty darn well. They are the reason why. I could not care less if anyone believes me to be a not-so-swell person. I know differently. And so do my loved ones.
With that said, here is something I received via one of my graphics groups. It was a writing instead of a graphic, and it sums up beautifully my relationship with my parents.
"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 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 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.' "
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 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 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.' "
...and I am thankful I told my father countless times how much he meant to me and that I loved him. Just as I still tell my mother those same things.
"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself." ~Joyce Maynard
8 comments:
This is lovely BUT. . .what i want to know is: how long did it take you to know all this (spoken as the mother of three VERY young adults LOL)???
http://searchthesea.blogspot.com/
::chuckle:: Oceanmrc? I always knew my folks were special. Always. That does not mean I never gave them a hard time, because I certainly did. I was, after all, THE wild child. The thing is all of my friends adored my parents. Even when I was angry with them, my friends would not criticize Mom and Dad. They liked them too much. What's more, I would not have tolerated anyone talking badly about them...regardless of how angry I was. Betcha your kids already feel the same way about you.
Great entry. Love the sparkle graphic and your paintings too. Each generation teaches the younger, but the younger do not appreciate it until they are the older generation themselves. Sandi
wow..wonderful graphics through writing. I can feel the inspiration as I read it and realized that I had forgotten my purpose with my kids..to be their role model.
Thank you for the reminder.
Have a wonderful weeekend,
Gem :-)
I loved this entry so much I read it back over again...the quote is also very moving...thanks!!
((((((((((((((((N))))))))))))))) You might be the wild one, hon...but you're also the light...mean that...know that laready. Smooches. Love you friend. ;) C. http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies
Very wise, I respect wisdom.
Terra
Whoever wrote that little ditty about Kids seeing what their parents do, was right on! I've read it before, and it always stirs my soul.. because it's so true!
jackie
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