I got this story forwarded to me by one of my co-workers. By the time I finished reading it, I had tears in my eyes.
This story is very inspirational, and teaches us what is really important in life, and what true happiness means.
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now and a year from now… Enjoy!
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 definitely have had enough of his noisy eating, spilled milk 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, sometimes 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, water spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
___________________________________________________
To finish on a positive note, what I have learned so far is that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I also have 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 have learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”
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.
Related Posts:
__________________________________________________________
Two things you might be interested in knowing….
1) You can get more articles like this one sent to you with our Free Newsletter
2) We encourage you to reprint this article on your website!