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.>>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.!>>I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care>about.>I just did.>NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE>THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.>GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.>I am not going to be the one who>lets it die. I found it believable -->angels have walked beside me>all my life--and they still do
