I 'll guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl
tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,
and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight
was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight
made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he
grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
"We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his
spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the
corner.There,Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family
enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was
served in a wooden bowl!
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime
he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had
for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing
with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you
making?"
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little
bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The
four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were
speechless.
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken,
both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently
led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every
meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed
to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth
soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens,
how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the
way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your
parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as
making a life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a
catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your
work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open
heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be
one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch
someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a
friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.!
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you
care about .....I just did !!
God Bless You All!
Marion