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.



FRIENDSHIP CANDLE



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



*******************************************


copy & past this please

& send it to everyone you know...

thank you



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!

heartfelt

deff a great one...

There is nothing here.

Negative comments are uncalled for, if you don't like it, don't comment on it!

thank you so much Eileen


you are awesome my dear friend & sister

Peachie


thank you

thank you so much Tonya....

with that attitude...young man


you will never find anything good,

loving, sacred or precious

anywhere




i truly feel sorry for you

and will pray for your soul

Thank you. I'm going to copy and send to some in my in-box!

thank you so much Shaden


i read this to my mother tonight

and we laughed and we both cried

with all the emotions this invites

I read it long ago, but it's worth remembering. Holds a great meaning.

That was beautiful rapunzel, I will def give this to everyone I know and love...God Bless!!

i never read this before ,
but now in light of my own folks getting on in years,
it really holds an extra lot of signifigance

oooohh...thank you Jenleah

for your love and blessing

i appreciate you passing this on


if we can help people be more sensitive to others ,

it will raise the whole quality of all of our lives by far ...

If that doesnt stir emotions in ya, something is /deFinatly wrong with ya!!! Great stuff, thanks!!!!

ohhh... Mikey



thank you Sweetheart


if only more men & women had love
and compassion like you do

this world would be a much more gracious place




LAMom.....thank you Love