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 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 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 three things: a rainy day, 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.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about;
I am leaving it open to you.
Tell me if it moves you...I told my sister, who sent it to me.
I sent it to my children and their spouses.
AND, probably elsewhere, too
The date on the e-mail was January 4, 2004.
