What I've learned...

[Z OOH 6]

Got this in an email today and thought it was a very worthy tale to post. Something about this really hit the spot in the story for me.

The Wooden Bowl

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 Grandfather," 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 three things: a rainy day, 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.

[Jerry Velders]

Good story, good thoughts. The things that are important to us change as life goes on.

[Kat]

[corvette184]

[SAL]

Originally posted by Z OOH 6

The Wooden Bowl

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

Words to live by.

[David Pintaric]

Good story...makes me tear up.

I work with my father, who will be 75 this coming April. While he is not suffering from the grandfather's problems, sometimes I lose my patience with him. There are times when I "wish" he would retire. How wrong I am for thinking this way.

My wife, who lost her father six years ago, reminds me how lucky I am to have him around. This story did it again.

Thanks for passing it on.

DMP

[sigung86]

My Mother passed away about 16 years years ago. I miss her terribly, to this day. My Father always was an abusive a**hole. He may be alive. I haven't spoken to him since my Mother passed away. He refuses to accept any contact from my brothers or me. I miss him terribly.

My Father-in-Law passed away last Thanksgiving. He had Alzheimer's. He is missed very much by those who loved him, including me. I posted about it when it happened and titled it a Tribute to Bobby. My Mother-in-law, 80 years old last March, God Bless her, is still up and running and doing well. She's the one who was sitting in the FRC next to me when, without thinking about her, I wrapped out to about 140 mph. I looked over and thought ... "OHHH MYYY God!!! I've got my Mother-in-Law in this car with me"!!!

She was looking at the speedometer with a grin on her face, leaning over, she said, "I like going fast"!

Seems like, in this country, we tend to put the aged and experienced aside. That is sad. We miss so much that way.

Treasure them while you have them.

Dan