The Wooden Bowl

**I was going through my emails and came across this one that I received in 2007. I think the story makes a great point and something we need to remember**

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!