I didn’t think you were paying attention. I just kept doing the same things—packing lunches, tucking you in, cleaning up messes before school.

I didn’t think you were paying attention. I just kept doing the same things—packing lunches, tucking you in, cleaning up messes before school.

It felt like background noise, invisible work. Then one night you looked at me and said, ‘Thanks for always making my sandwich the way I like it.’ I almost laughed, because it was so small. But it was also everything. In that moment, I knew you saw me. And now, when you pitch in with little things—feeding the dog, helping your sister—I make sure to say thanks too. I use an app called quiet effort. It keeps me from letting love hide in the background where no one says a word.