The wooden bowl

[mrswtnhunt]

The Wooden Bowl

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.

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, 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 sometimes.

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, Iusually 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.

Thought I would share this with you guys.

Catrina:)

[toddyboman]

great post thanks

[Adjam5]

It sure puts things in perspective.

Thanks for sharing.

[stevebeilgard]

thank you catrina. that was a wonderful post.

[RangerClay]

Very nice post!!!!

but less color next time!

[Guest bowhunter56]

Very good, thanks for posting and sharing with us..

[craig mack]

Great post, thanks for sharing.

[Ambuscher]

Thanks for sharing!!

[aksheephuntress]

...This is an incredibly true and touching post...

-Thank you so much, Catrina!

[ruttinbuc]

Very good post, Catrina...So very true...

'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you

and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.'

[mrswtnhunt]

Very nice post!!!!

but less color next time!

I didn't put the color in it. I had just copied/pasted it from an e-mail that I got. I agree that it is a little colorful, but at least you got the message.

[wtnhunt]

Good post, sure does put things in perspective.

[Tominator]

Good post, sure does put things in perspective.

Yup:cool:

[bfletch7441]

All too true!

Thanks.

Ben

[Randy]

Great post, thank you for sharing it with us.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

My wife and I cared for her dad at our house for 4 years till he passed on. He was 99 yrs old when he came to our house and died at 103 1/2. He could not see due to macular degeneration and could not walk well due to a stroke. I had many fears before he came but would not trade those years for anything. Thanks for the story it brought back a flood of memories.

[mrswtnhunt]

Glad everyone enjoyed the post. Working in a nursing home it is easy to see how much help the elderly require. We have alot of families that bring their loved ones here for us to care for because they just can't do it anymore. It requires alot of passion and caring to take care of the elderly. Nurses have alot of patience & patients. I commend anyone willing to take the responsibility to do it in their homes.

Glad you guys enjoyed.