pumba
DIS PUMBARIZER
- Joined
- Dec 28, 1999
- Messages
- 24,003
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. However, 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 have 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 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 have 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 have learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you
will miss them when they are gone from your life.
I have learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a
"life."
I have learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I have learned that you should not go through life with a catcher's mitt on
both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I have 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 have learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.
I have learned that even when I have pains, I do not have to be one.
I have 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 have learned that I still have a lot to learn
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. However, 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 have 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 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 have 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 have learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you
will miss them when they are gone from your life.
I have learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a
"life."
I have learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I have learned that you should not go through life with a catcher's mitt on
both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I have 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 have learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.
I have learned that even when I have pains, I do not have to be one.
I have 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 have learned that I still have a lot to learn
