Now Hear This: Little eyes are watching
There are spies everywhere.
Don’t look now, but somebody is watching you. If not at this very minute you are reading my column, they soon will. And it’s highly likely you won’t even know it.
Scary, huh.
No, I’m not talking about the government, your boss, your neighbor or even your husband or wife. I’m not talking about terrorists or stalkers.
I’m here to tell you “little eyes” are watching you. Whether you realize it, your actions are often being watched by your children.
So, be careful, very careful. Because what they see you do could impact them the rest of their lives. For better, or worse.
Dear parents,
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hug my teddy bear close to your heart and smile, as only a mother can, and I knew how much you loved me.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake, and I learned that little things can be the biggest things in someone’s life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking you fed a stray dog, and I learned it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was ill, and I learned we 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 have nothing, and I learned that those who have should give to those who don’t.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you cared for our house, and everything in it, and I learned we must take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you dealt with your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel like it, and it taught me I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw your tears and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right for grown-ups to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how much you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be, just for you.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God, and I could always talk to him.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I needed to know.
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.”
(Hope Hines is a television sports reporter and a Nashville personality.)