I feel sure that if you read this 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 unhappy with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. I don’t like this spilled milk, noisy eating and food on the floor.

The husband and wife then set a small table in the corner. There Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dining-table. Since Grandfather had broken a plate or two his food was served in a wooden bowl.When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction they noticed 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 that they were speechless. Tears then 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 and how bad it seems today life does go on and it will be better tomorrow.Life sometimes does give you a second chance.Regardless of your relationship with your parents you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

There is more……..You can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.You shouldn’t go through life with a baseball mitt on both hands – you need to throw something back.

If you pursue happiness it will elude you but if you focus on family, friends, the needs of others and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

When we decide things with an open heart we usually make the right decision.When I have pain I don’t need to be one.

Everyday you should reach out and touch someone.People love that human touch – holding hands, a friendly pat on the back or a warm hug.

We all still have a lot to learn.