The Wooden Bowl ( iNsPiRiNg )

 >  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 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. 
> 
> 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!