A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- law, and four-year
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 Grandfather, " 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 their dinners together.
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 you
get old." 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.
learn that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss
them when they're gone from your life. learn that life sometimes gives you a
second chance.
learn 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.
learn that children's eyes observe more than there ears ever hear and the
example we set for them determines their actions.
learn that make a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".
learn 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.
learn that people will forget what you said ...people will forget what you
did......but people will never forget how you made them feel.
learn that life is about people and making a positive difference.
learn that you should take care of yourself and those you love - Today and
Everyday!
learn we still have a lot to learn!
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 Grandfather, " 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 their dinners together.
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 you
get old." 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.
learn that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss
them when they're gone from your life. learn that life sometimes gives you a
second chance.
learn 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.
learn that children's eyes observe more than there ears ever hear and the
example we set for them determines their actions.
learn that make a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".
learn 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.
learn that people will forget what you said ...people will forget what you
did......but people will never forget how you made them feel.
learn that life is about people and making a positive difference.
learn that you should take care of yourself and those you love - Today and
Everyday!
learn we still have a lot to learn!
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