The Wooden Bowl
A frail old woman went to live with her son, daughter-in-law, and 4- year-old grandson.
The old woman's hand trembled, her eyesight was blurred, and her step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandmother’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off her spoon onto the floor.
When she grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. ‘We must do something about mother,’ said the son.
‘I’ve enough of her spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.’ So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandmother ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandmother had broken a dish or two, her food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandmother’s direction, sometimes she had a tear in her eye as she sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple has for her were sharp admonitions when she dropped a fork or spilled food. The 4-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 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 Grandmother’s hand gently led her back to the family table.
For the remainder of her days, she 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, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you will miss them when they are gone from your life. I have learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’. Sometimes, life gives us a second chance. I have learned that we shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. We need to be able to throw something back.
I have learned that if we pursue happiness, it will elude us. But, if we focus on our family, our friends, the needs of others, our work and doing the very best we can, happinesPublish Posts will find us.
I have learned that whenever I decide on something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. Even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I have learned that everyday, we should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
The old woman's hand trembled, her eyesight was blurred, and her step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandmother’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off her spoon onto the floor.
When she grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. ‘We must do something about mother,’ said the son.
‘I’ve enough of her spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.’ So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandmother ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandmother had broken a dish or two, her food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandmother’s direction, sometimes she had a tear in her eye as she sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple has for her were sharp admonitions when she dropped a fork or spilled food. The 4-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 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 Grandmother’s hand gently led her back to the family table.
For the remainder of her days, she 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, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you will miss them when they are gone from your life. I have learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’. Sometimes, life gives us a second chance. I have learned that we shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. We need to be able to throw something back.
I have learned that if we pursue happiness, it will elude us. But, if we focus on our family, our friends, the needs of others, our work and doing the very best we can, happinesPublish Posts will find us.
I have learned that whenever I decide on something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. Even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I have learned that everyday, we should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
posted by Jason at 8:00 PM
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