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 ma king?"
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 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, 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 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.
This sort of caught my eyes this morning, lovely isn't it?
Voltaire posted on Oct 17, 2009
| views: 142
Comments
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superbozo said on Oct 17, 2009....
Love it :) -
beyondtheveil said on Oct 17, 2009....
Very good indeed.
I can relate to the Christmas tree lights. By the time we are ready for the lights, I have brought in the boxes from the shed, set up the village on a large table (which seems endless), and set up the tree. Then my wife pulls out the reams of lights. I do groan, but usually am able to stifle all comments.
I know the stiff drink will come shortly.
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Me-Myself&I said on Oct 17, 2009....
very nice! i enjoyed. *smile* -
UnicornForm said on Oct 17, 2009....
very lovely. -
gingersoul said on Oct 17, 2009....
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing
as making a "life..
This one strikes close to home, Voltie...
But I don't agree with those parameters for judging people though.....i would get extremely pissed off if i'd lose my luggage and when my Xmas lights tangle i curse...;-p
.....does this make of me a bad person?....lol..
-
Voltaire said on Oct 18, 2009....
Ginger,
I donno if your a bad person; who am I to judge you? ;=)
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scipio said on Oct 18, 2009....
After reading this post,I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. -- -
gingersoul said on Oct 18, 2009....
It was a rhetoric question, Voltie.....;-) -
Voltaire said on Oct 22, 2009....
Scipio,
I guess we all do. ;)
Ginger,
Oh hit me! :P
I've been working all to much to even bother.
8 AM to 6 PM, so I am not really all to alert. ;)
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Mr.Strange said on Oct 24, 2009....
Voltaire, I would love a chance to speak to you, would you like to? -
Voltaire said on Oct 24, 2009....
Feel free to do so any time. -
gingersoul said on Oct 24, 2009....
Voltie.....its ok......i understand.....hope you can relax this week end....;-) -
Voltaire said on Oct 24, 2009....
Ginger,
3 hours in the woods with a camp fire gives a good grounding, a good way to relax.
Love it. :=)
Used my new knife to then, a kukri. But that's a different story.
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Mr.Strange said on Oct 24, 2009....
awesome! I'm learning how to carve wood today, I got a walking stick I'm going to carve
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Voltaire said on Oct 25, 2009....
Good luck. :) -
Mr.Strange said on Oct 25, 2009....
Thank you,
GREAT LUCK TO YOU.
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