"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 grandather'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 table cloth.
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,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 watchd it all in silence,one evening before supper,the father noticed his son playing with wood scaps 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,the tears started to
stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken ,both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfathers hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate everymeal 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 seemstoday,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 chrismas tree lights.

Iv'e learned that,regardless of your relationship with your parents,you'll miss
them when they have 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 catche'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,Iusually make the right decision.

I've earned 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 warmhug,or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!