WOODEN BOWL

The Wooden Bowl
I guarantee 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 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 four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, 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.

FRIENDSHIP CANDLE

NOTICE AT THE END,
THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.


I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable --
angels have walked beside me all my life--and they still do
*********************
This is to all of you who mean something to me,
I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship


This candle was lit on the
15th of September, 1998

Someone who loves you has helped
keep it alive by sending it to you.

Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die

Pass It On To All Of Your Friends
and Everyone You Love!
May God richly bless you!