A friend sent the following to us via an email. The email requested that we send it along to others. we have done just that by placing it within our web site and sending the URL to our families and some friends that God has blessed us with, and for whom we will be forever thankful.

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The Wooden Bowl
 

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 so hang in there. 

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 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.
 
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.