A frail old man went to live
with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands
trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate
together nightly at the dinner table.
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather
difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass
often milk spilled on the tablecloth. T
he 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
at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was
served in a wooden bowl.
Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in
his eye as he ate 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 from 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 that building blocks are
being laid for the child's future.
Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and
those you love, ... today, and everyday! So we should be careful to watch nobody
else is makeing a wooden bowl for us.