Some day when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them:

"I loved you enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home."
"I loved you enough . . . to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you."
"I loved you enough . . . to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep."
"I loved you enough . . . to make you take a Milky Way back to the drugstore (with a bite out of it) and tell the clerk, 'I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it.'"
"I loved you enough . . . to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken 15 minutes."
"I loved you enough . . . to let you see anger, disappointment and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect."
"I loved you enough . . . to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart."
"But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say 'no,'when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too."

*Author Unknown

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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 wanted to Paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't Looking,
I saw you Feed a stray Cat, and
I thought 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 knew that Little things are Special things.

When you thought I wasn't Looking,
I heard you say a Prayer,
and I believed there is a God
I could always Talk to.

When you thought I wasn't Looking,
I felt you Kiss 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,
I saw that you Cared
and I wanted to be Everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't Looking,
I looked ... and wanted to Say
Thanks for all the Things I Saw,
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

Author unknown

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Whispers

A child's love is like a whisper,
given in little ways we do not hear
but if you listen closely it will be very clear.

They often do not say it loud but in how they come to you...
Daddy will you play with me?
Mommy, tie my shoe?

...the many ways they tell you changes as they grow
Dad I made the team today!
Mom I've Got to go!

Pop I need some money
You see there's... this girl at school...
Mama I met a boy today and wow he is so cool...!

Dad I've got something to tell you... I think she is the one.
Mom, He asked me to marry him. Would you love him as your son?

Dad I've got some news for you...
It's gonna be a boy!
Mom I'm kind of scared of this, yet I'm filled with joy!

A child's love is like a whisper,
given in little ways we do not hear
but if you listen closely it will be very clear.

They often do not say it loud but in how they come to you...
Grandpa will you play with me?
Grandma tie my shoe...

It is never ending
A blessing from above
Listen to the whispers of a child's love.

unknown author