Just got this E mail from a friend. It has really a wondderful message about life in general. As I count you all as friends, I thought I should share it with you.
It certainly made me think a bit !
> I like the sentiment x x
> >>>
> >>>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, 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 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.!
> >>>
> >>>I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care
> about. I
> >>>just did.
> >>>
> >>> NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED. GONNA GIVE
> YOU
> >>>GOOSE BUMPS.
> >>>
> >>>I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable
> --
> >>>angels have walked beside me all my life--and they still do.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship
> >>> ()
> >>> |---|
> >>> |---|
> >>> |---|
> >>>
> >>>This candle was lit on September,15, 1998. Someone who loves you
> has
> >>>helped keep it alive by sending it to you.
> >>>
> >>> Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die! Pass It On
> To
> >>>All Of Your Friends and Everyone You Love!
> >>>
> >>>Please keep this candle alive
> >>>
> >>>Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me,
> I
> >>>may
> >>>not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Obviously you are NOT wearing your glasses!!!
I have 20 pounds to lose just to get back to the same size I was on our last cruise!!!!
Then I really would like to lose an additional 20 after that but I will be happy if I just lose the first 20 before this cruise!
Lots of prayers and dust stuff to you and your family!!! 
ixiedust:
Mine involved a little work, so no biggie. 
Where do you guys get all that stuff? Very nice cruise picture too. Robin, did you know that Mike offered to buy us all one of those strawberry smoothies?
mike and robin
