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).
I so love sharing history ... it is so fascinating & to learn more than we may have not been taught or missed or just didn't absorb.
Theodore Roosevelt in 1916.
