The Wooden Bowl
  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 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 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, 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.  Sometimes they  just need a
little something   to make them smile.    People will forget what you
said... people will forget   what you did  ... but people will never forget 
   how you made  them feel.