| Kathy Sutherland posted
this message...
I thought this was worth
sharing :}
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,
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 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.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears
ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If
they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family
members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.
The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being
laid for the child's future.
Let's be wise builders and role models. "Life is about people
connecting with people, and making a positive difference"
Take care of yourself, and those you love, ...today, and everyday!
On a positive note, 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 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 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 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.
Kathy :}
And Elda Quinton replied
with...
Kathy that reminded me so
much of a true story concerning my late mother in law in Germany. She
lived out her remaining years with her daughter & son in law.
She was the same as the
old man in your story, making such a mess all the time. My brother in
law (her son in law) hated it but he just turned away & didn't look
when it really got to him. I admire him for being so patient with an old
woman and making her last years peaceful.
One day it may happen to
us all.
Elda
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