*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 l e arned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about I
just did. *

*May God richly bless you! *