Your Kids Are Always Looking At You!

I always remember the emotional impact I felt when I entered that little school in a small town in Germany, where I had been invited to share a space with my friend the actor Edgar Bürke and a group of young teenagers.

The banner that hung permanently from the ceiling was placed in such a way that it was impossible to enter that room without noticing its presence.

The text, in large blue letters, exhibited a single phrase that I have come across a dozen times later in other places, but which, at that time, in that place and perhaps in that language, was not at all intended for a tone. friendly or conciliatory. It said more or less:

“Always be careful … your children are watching you!”

When I shared my feeling with Edgar, he told me this story that has so much to do with this topic, and that takes place in any city, similar to the one in which you live.

A tale about anticipation

The story tells of an elderly man admitted to a nursing home, his son, an important manager of a multinational company, and his grandson, an adorable boy who loves his grandfather.

The story begins one day in which the young man passes by his father’s office. The secretary announces it and makes it happen.

-What do you need? Asks the father, in a rather hostile way. Are you in trouble again? Because if you are here …

“I don’t need anything,” the young man replies, a bit defiantly. I’ve already told you that I’m not going to ask you anything else if I can help it. The theme is grandfather.

“What about your grandfather?” It sure is okay; if not, they would have already warned me.

“They’ve called you three times from the nursing home, but they haven’t received an answer.” They tell them that you are busy.

“And it’s the truth … It will be some nonsense.” I’ll tell my secretary to call.

“I’ve already found out,” says the young man. Grandpa needs you to send him a small heater for his room.

“A heater ?! The man yells. In the heat, please.

“I’ve been there, Dad … The place is pretty cool and Grandpa spends too much time still.” Anyway, it is the grandfather who says he feels cold.

“Look, I don’t work as a job to throw money away, ” says the father. If you need a heater, give it to you at the nursing home, for that they charge me every month the fortune they charge me …

And if you think you need to take care of his temperature, you can buy Grandpa a blanket with your pay.

The young man leaves the office without saying a word. That night, when the father comes home, he sees the boy lying in the living room with a blanket spread on the rug. To his surprise, he is cutting it in half.

“Isn’t this the blanket you bought for your grandfather?” -He tells.

“Yes,” the young man answers, almost without looking at him.

“And why do you cut it in half?”

” Anticipation, ” the young man replies.

“I don’t understand you,” says the father. Anticipation of what?

“Yes,” the young man replies, as he continues with his task. I’m going to take one half of the blanket to the nursing home. I’ll keep the other one for you … for when you’re his age.

As I say, our children watch us and learn from what we do.