The Wooden Bowl
I 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 four things: a rainy day, the elderly, 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!
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't
walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me
and be my friend.
