A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and4 yr
>oldgrandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and
>his step faltered.
>
>The family ate together every night 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
>dosomething 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 yo u
>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.!
>