WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING...

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You hung my first painting on the refrigerator,

And I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You fed a stray cat,

And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You baked a birthday cake just for me,

And I knew that little things were special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You said a prayer,

And I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You kissed me good-night,

And I felt loved.

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,

You smiled,

And it made me want to look that pretty too.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

You cared,

And I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I looked...

And I wanted to say "thanks"

For all those things you did,

When you thought I wasn't looking.

by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan © 1980