This morning, I woke up extra early. I folded my pajamas, brushed my teeth without being asked, and even made my bed – like really made it. Tight sheets, no wrinkles. A masterpiece.
Then I tiptoed to the kitchen and poured cereal for everyone. I didn’t even spill the milk!
Mom came in, still sleepy, and looked around.
“Oh, good morning,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”
That’s it?! Not even a “Wow, Sofia!” or “You’re amazing!”
Just “Did you sleep well?”
“Mom,” I said, “did you not notice the bed? The cereal? The NEAT pajamas pile?”
She blinked.
“Oh! You did all that? I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn’t even realize! Thank you!”
Later, I helped Dad bring in the groceries. He just said, “Careful with the eggs.”
No “Thanks!” No high five. Not even a smile.
At dinner, I sighed loudly.
“Is something wrong?” Mom asked.
“I did SO many things today,” I said. “And no one even cared!”
Mom sat next to me.
“You’re right. We don’t always notice the amazing things others do. Especially when we’re busy.”
“But it’s not fair!” I frowned. “Why do something nice if no one sees it?”
Mom thought for a moment.
“Sometimes,” she said, “we do things not because someone will applaud us, but because it makes the world better – even just a tiny bit. And someone will notice, eventually. Or feel it, even if they don’t say it.”
She paused.
“And between you and me… grown-ups feel that too. We clean, cook, fix things… and often, no one says ‘thank you.’ But when someone does notice – it feels like magic.”
I thought about it. Then I hugged her.
“Okay. But tomorrow I’m making waffles. So… prepare to be amazed.