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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 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 three 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!
Come and learn with
as as we explore this adventure called LIFE, together.
Tony Dovale – Life Masters Coaching
www.lifemasters.co.za
083-447-6300 |
