~ 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,

sometimes 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 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 sometimes.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you

But, if you focus on God, 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.

(What a beautiful write, if you have read this before, enjoy again).