The Wooden Bowl

 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. 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.*********************This
 is to all of you who mean something to me, I pray for your happiness. The Candle
 Of Love, Hope & Friendship()|---||---||---| This candle was lit on the 15th 
 of September, 1998. Someone who loves you has helped keep it alive by sending it
 to you.Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die! Pass It On To 
 All Of Your Friends and Everyone You Love! May God richly bless you!Please keep 
 this candle alive Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
  Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. 
 Just walk beside me and be my friend. 

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