Thank you for being there for all of us.....

[Guest guest]

THE WOODEN BOWL

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-

year

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 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, 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 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 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.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their

ears

ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb.

If

they see us patiently providing a happy home atmosphere for family

members,

they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.

The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are

being laid

for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.

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 I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about.

I just did. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them

smile.

People will forget what you said...people will forget what you

did...but

people will never forget how you made them feel.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so very much, Sue, for the reminder of just

how important it is to be a good role model for our

kids. I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I

sometimes forget that if I want my child to grow up to

be considerate, patient, kind and loving, I need to

lead by example.

I will print his out and hang on the fridge as a

constant reminder...

Pam b

--- sue mendez mendez6@...> wrote:

> THE WOODEN BOWL

>

> A frail old man went to live with his son,

> daughter-in-law, and four-

> year

> 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 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,

> 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 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 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.

>

> Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever

> observe, their

> ears

> ever listen, and their minds ever process the

> messages they absorb.

> If

> they see us patiently providing a happy home

> atmosphere for family

> members,

> they will imitate that attitude for the rest of

> their lives.

>

> The wise parent realizes that every day the building

> blocks are

> being laid

> for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and

> role models.

>

> 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 I still have a lot to learn.

>

> I've learned that you should pass this on to

> everyone you care about.

>

> I just did. Sometimes they just need a little

> something to make them

> smile.

> People will forget what you said...people will

> forget what you

> did...but

> people will never forget how you made them feel.

>

>

>

>

____________________________________________________

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