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This is a very touching and realistic story, Ron. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Raj [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron McKay" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 11:27 PM Subject: Re: help in overcoming depression > Raj, I want to thank you and many other members of the list for their > helpful words. I will share this note that was passed on to me. > > 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. "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 whenever 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 some 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 with, 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. > > Ron > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brightline" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 10:22 AM > Subject: Re: help in overcoming depression > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn