<< THE WOODEN BOWL
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 onto the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
"We must do something about Grandfather," 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, he
sometimes had a tear in his eye, as he sat alone. Still, the only word 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 when I grow up." The
four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started
to stream down their cheeks. Though no words were 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 that
he/she handles three things: rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas
tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you will 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 best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
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 human touches: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly
pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
People will forget what you said and what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel.
Be blessed!
>>
--- Begin Message ---
THE WOODEN BOWL
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 onto the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
"We must do something about Grandfather," 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, he
sometimes had a tear in his eye, as he sat alone. Still, the only word 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 when I grow up." The
four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started
to stream down their cheeks. Though no words were 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 that
he/she handles three things: rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas
tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you will 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 best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
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 human touches: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly
pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
People will forget what you said and what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel.
Be blessed!
Motorhoming across America, Enjoying God's Creations
|
--- Begin Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
-----Original Message-----
From: Ochs, Linda A
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 9:48 AM
To: 'Becky Hopkins'; Cahill, Mary K; Carter, Linda G; Cassidy, Jan L; Hume,
Lisa A; Jody Anderson (E-mail); 'Mark Stewart'; 'Patty Suedkamp (E-mail)';
Rod Snow (E-mail); Schweikert, Sandra R; Vickie Knochelman (E-mail)
Subject: The Wooden Bowl
THE WOODEN BOWL
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 onto the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
"We must do something about Grandfather," 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, he
sometimes had a tear in his eye, as he sat alone. Still, the only word 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 when I grow up." The
four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started
to stream down their cheeks. Though no words were 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 that
he/she handles three things: rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas
tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you will 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 best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,
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 human touches: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly
pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
People will forget what you said and what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel.
Be blessed!
--- End Message ---
--- End Message ---
--- End Message ---
