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[log in to unmask] Subject: Fwd: Wooden Bowl > > Date Sent: 18 Dec 2001 07:55 AM > > > > > > > > > > ----------- Original Message ----------- > > From: [log in to unmask] > > Sent To: [log in to unmask] > > Subject: Wooden Bowl > > Date Sent: 15 Dec 2001 01:44 PM > > > > > Wooden Bowl > > > > > > A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- > > > law, and four-year 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, > > > sometime 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 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 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 > > > just did. > > > > > > Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile. > > > > > > People will forget what you said ... people will forget what you did ... > > > but people will never forget how you made them feel. > > > > > > > > > > --------- End Original Message --------- > > --------- End Original Message --------- > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn