Words To Live By...And Always Remember

I mentioned in the previous post how the recent funeral Mass for Mr. Curry Barry was such a wonderful celebration of his life and of the entire Barry family as well.

Sons Rick and Phil shared some great stories about growing up in the Barry household (complete with 9 children) back in the
1960s. Phil closed their comments with a poem sent to him by his father. It's by an unknown author, and Phil said he edited it a bit to reflect his life with his mom and dad, who were also such special folks to so many of us in Sing-Out South:

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING....

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang pictures of all your children all over the den and I immediately knew you loved us most.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed "Speedy" the squirrel and the foxes on the beach, and I learned it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you made Christmas cookies and bourbon balls to give to all our neighbors and I learned that the little things can be special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to our cousin 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 hard you worked, even when you did not feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grew 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 person.

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."


How true this poem is in capturing the lives of Mr. & Mrs. Barry, and for that matter, so many of the "cast parents" we had in Sing-Out South.