(off topic)  People Are Important

[chrischris]

I hope you all have a good day.

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 a disagreement.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your family members,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the e 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.!

[Guest]

That was great, Chris.... Thank you!

[red1030]

Chris that was wonderful. Thank you for this story. It really has touched my heart. Thank you.

[Deb]

Chris this is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Deb

[Dallas307]

I agree thank you!

[tweety00]

thats was great and important to remember when having a bad day thanks ALOT

[snowbear]

Thanks Chris...my grandma went blind from macular degeneration the last 10 years of her life. My mom and step-dad took care of her... and I can only hope and pray that my siblings and I treat my mom with as much gentle love and dignity that my mom treated hers. And nope, there were no wooden bowls. But it's a sad statistic that many elderly people are being abused by their children....I pray the story you shared with us falls in the hands of many who need it!!!!!!!! Thanks again for sharing.

[capricorn]

CC.......I received this via e-mail a few months ago and held onto it. I think it's beautiful and says so much. Thanks for sharing .


CAP