Received this in an email a while back, (author unknown).

The Wooden Bowl

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.

While simply written, there are many lessons to be learned from these words. When I hear people use the phrase “children learn what they live,” I nod in agreement.

When I see a son or daughter out and about with an aging parent assisting them with little things which may now be beyond their ability, I smile, often feeling as though I would like to approach them and say, “well done.”

Those who care for the elderly on a daily basis and do so with compassion and the patience sometimes necessary are to be commended.

Whether it be done by a child or those who have reached their twilight years, there is no tragedy associated with a glass of spilled milk or a few peas on the floor. The tragedy comes when we handle these things with anger and harsh words.

Don’t sweat the little things, life is far too short.

Written by Sue

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