The Wooden Bowl

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 words 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 pieces

of scrap wood 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.

 

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To end 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, 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 in

some way.

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.!