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myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316) 4 years ago

This would be a shock if my grandson did this...

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, 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, 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.



 

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laglen (7665) response was accepted on 11/23/2008.
denotes best response, click it to go to the best response.
tags:  focus on the family, four year old, getting old, handles, parents
 
1. myLot reputation of 86/100. laglen (7665)   ranked 3,455 out of 12,079 in friend   4 years ago

Mike, That was a beautiful story and let me tell you one back. I have three siblings. 2 brothers and 1 sister. my dad is 71, lives a lone with his german short hair Gretchen. He has macular degeneration - the bad kind. His vision is literally a small sliver on the sides. He can not drive (he was a trucker since he was 14). He can not read (his very favorite past time). He can't see details, like crumbs, he sees shadows, he knows your standing there but doesn't know that it is you until you speak.
Now, one brother is a half brother (different dad), one brother lived with his family in the Philipines until this year, they moved back but are still 2 hours away. My sister lives 1 block from me, has two kids and is divorced. I live about a mile from my dad, have 1 child and am divorced.
Obviously the care goes to my sister and I. We take turns taking him shopping, to the bank, to church etc. Takes a day or two each per week along with a little cleaning.
I worked full time in one job, serve on a county advisory board, a city watch group and a city commission. I also volunteer at the church, my daughters school etc. you get the point. Anyway, I told my sister that we should go in together to get somebody to help with Dad. Specifically taking him to church, we both worked late on Saturday nights.
That very same Sunday, a lady (quite elderly) that always sits behind us, pulled me aside and said "I think it is so wonderful that you girls take care of your father and make sure that he makes it to church. Most kids just forget about us"
Needless to say, we didn't hire anybody and continue to fall asleep during the sermon!


myLot reputation of 99/100. mtdewgurl74 (11320)   ranked 1,502 out of 12,079 in friend  4 years ago

Also wanted to add that they realized what they were teaching their son and realized that it might come back and bite them on the butt someday when they get older. If they would have continued in this behavior they would have deserved it too.

Laglen, I think it is great that you and your sister do all that you can for your father. It might seem a chore at times but end the end you will reap many rewards and feel better knowing that you helped as much as you can and are spending time with your father which you will miss when he is gone and will be grateful for the time you was able to spend with him. My real father passed away when I was 18 so I know that time can be short and unexpected. So spend all that you can and involve him all you can he loves you both for taking the time to help him as he helped you when you were younger.


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

Anyone who has taken care of a relative knows these feelings.

It was a nice, albeit old, story.

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2. myLot reputation of 99/100. mtdewgurl74 (11320)   ranked 1,502 out of 12,079 in friend   4 years ago

That was a very special read. I have witnessed stuff like this. SO I am glad that these people remembered that life isn't perfect but worth living anyhow. I will definitely pass this on and I am going to print it off also so that I can let those who don't have computers can be able to read it. Thanks.


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

I think most of us have seen this sort of thing before. Sad when it happens, that's for sure.

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3. myLot reputation of 94/100. Mcbuttero (852)   4 years ago

Wow Mike what a beautiful story! I loved it. It's sad the way some people treat others.... especially those closest to them.


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

This has been around before. but I just felt it needed to be repeated.


myLot reputation of 94/100. Mcbuttero (852)  4 years ago

Well I'm glad you did because I'd never heard it before and I loved it! happy


Thanks Mike!

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4. myLot reputation of 91/100. flowerchilde (8070)   4 years ago

I loved that! And yes, I will remember it! The elderly are so precious for they may not be with us that much longer!! And how our heart will break when they aren't!


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

I suppose it comes home closer to me with the MS knockin' hard on my door. I could be that old man.


myLot reputation of 91/100. flowerchilde (8070)  4 years ago

I'm glad to be reminded of that so I can say another little prayer for you!! For lack of progression and long life. Cause even though you are likely at peace about things, having your faith, your grand kids need you, you're too much of a blessing for them to be deprived of you early.

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5. myLot reputation of 92/100. Rosekitty (4785)   ranked 97 out of 12,079 in friend   4 years ago

Mike I have heard this before and loved it then plus now...really makes one wonder..and i do love rain, my elders,,never lost luggage and have tangled lights..lol..


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

It's not new I know. But I was just thinking out loud above, and thinking I could be that old man if the MS takes a nasty swing.

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6. myLot reputation of 58/100. kerriannc (3239)   ranked 856 out of 12,079 in friend   4 years ago

This is such a wonderful listen that was taught to them by a four year old. Just like what the words of the bible says 'it takes a child to lead them'. Sometimes we tends to do things around children not knowing that that child is watching and learning at the same time.

Thank you for remaining us about life lessons.thumbup


myLot reputation of 58/100. kerriannc (3239)   ranked 856 out of 12,079 in friend  4 years ago

It should be lesson.


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

an old story, and I'm not sure whether it's true or not. But as you noted, a good lesson.

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7. myLot reputation of 97/100. toni_nakama (2289)   4 years ago

happy Hi Mike. This is a very beautiful story. I have read this few times several years ago. The story is stucked in my head. Even when we were kids my father would always tell and teach us how to treat our grandparents and elderly. He taught us that whatever we do to our grandparents we will experience the same treatment from our children and grandchildren when we get old.


The lessons about life and happiness at the end of this story are really worth sharing. Thanks for forwarding this to my email too. Take care my friend. happyhappy


myLot reputation of 67/100. BCMike (3316)  4 years ago

No problem. Among the things I can still do, I can share... I was my pleasure to share this with a friend like you.

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