Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a weekfrom now, a month from now, a year from now.An old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year oldgrandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and hisstep faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderlygrandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peasrolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milkspilled 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 ofhis spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfatherate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfatherhad broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When thefamily glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in hiseye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him weresharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, thefather 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 youand 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 tearsstarted to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knewwhat must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand andgently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days heate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband norwife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, orthe tablecloth soiled.On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens how bad itseems 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/shehandles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas treelights.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 onboth hands. You need to be able to throw something back.I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if youfocus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work anddoing the very best you can, happiness will find you.I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usuallymake 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. Peoplelove that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat onthe back.I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.I've learned that you should pass this on to ones you care about...