The Wooden Bowl

I LOVE this story! Kids put things into perpective!

The Wooden Bowl
I guarantee that 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.

 

I think we need these stories sometimes just to remind us of how actions affect other people. Sometimes it takes a child to remind us!

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas is in a few weeks! The temps are in the 40's this weekend. Misty though so we couldn't do much outside. But I am not complaining! It is so much better then our normal temps for this time of year. I did go out and play frisbee with the dogs. Murphy (stage 3 kidney disease) still loves to play. I am so grateful for that. Tanner is actually getting pretty good at catching it. Corgi's are so fast though that he gets hit in the butt sometimes. But he is learning to be more watchful on where the frisbee is going.

We don't have many to shop for so we are probably going to do our shopping next saturday. Gift cards and a cheese/sausage box. Don't we have it easy! I also make up a box for mom with small items in it like hot chocolate mix, coffees, stamps, snacks, etc. She likes to have things that she can munch on and things that she wouldn't usually buy. It is kind of fun to see what I can find. His dad and step-mom are thrilled to get a gift card to Red Lobster.  The only other thing I need to do is get things ready for the homeless shelter. I usually wait for later in the winter season though as so many give for Christmas and the rest of the winter gets low on supplies. Please remember the less fortuate. I always remember the saying....But for the grace of God go I. Do you ever watch the news fro other countries, wars, famine, etc and think I could have been born there. But for the grace of God I wasn't.  Maybe I think to much at times, but at least I am aware of how lucky, blessed I am.

Next sunday we are going to the Paine Museaum. Nutcracker at the Paine. Decorated trees, ballet dancers and I don't know what else. I have always wanted to go. Jeff bought tickets for us this year! I can't wait. I wish they allowed us to take pictures. I know that pictures aren't allowed at other times, but will have to check  if they are allowed for this event. Camera flashes can distroy some art work. Little by little of course. I feel naked when I go somewhere and can't use my camera.

Not much else going on. Hugs, Teresa