The Wooden Bowl

Friday 20^th October, 2006. Post 47.

Hi there People ~~ Back with you again. Michelle has gone to bed. She is sensible and pops off around 10pm. Since then, I

have put some silverside (corned beef) in the crockpot with

lots of onions and carrots to cook overnight, and here I am.

I trust all is going well in your part of our world. As you have

seen, I have been having lots of fun and outings with my cousin.

Today we went to a local factory warehouse where they sell a

large variety of goods. All sorts of canned fruits and fruit in

jelly, canned vegetables, tomatos, peas, corn, beetroot, asparagus, all kinds of soups, pasta sauces, baked beans, etc etc. A lot of the fruit and vegies are grown in this area.

Unfortunately, they also sell every sort of chocolate and lollies and more. So we had fun filling a trolley with goodies.

Tonight I have chosen to repeat a previous story that some of you may not have seen. It’s a good story, I hope you enjoy.

My son Geoff sent this to me and it is a very good story. I have seen it before somewhere, but it is worth repeating.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in –law, and
his 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 hime 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 yu can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handle three 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 as making
a “life.”

I’ve learned that sometimes life 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.!!

<><><><>

Some jokes found from - - - A Mother’s Dictionary.

Bottle feeding: An opportunity for Daddy to get up at 2am too.

Drooling: How teething babies wash their chins.

Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.

Family planning: The art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you on the edge of financial disaster.

Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn’t appreciate the strained carrots.

Full name: What you call your child when you’re mad at him.

Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they’re sure you are not raising them right.

Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.

Impregnable: A woman whose memory of labour is still vivid.

Independent: How we want our children to be as long as they do everyting we say.

Show off: A child who is more talented than yours.

Temper tantrums: What you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.

Top bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.

Whodunit: None of the kids that live in your house.

Whoops: An exclamation that translates roughly into “get a sponge.”

<><><><><> Some quotes - - -

Immature love says: “I love you because I need you,”

Mature love says :I need you because I love you.”

- - - Erich Fromm.

The most important things to do in this world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.

- - - Brendan Behan.

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing

is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

- - - Albert Einstein.

Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could do so little. - - - Edmund Burke.

Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.

- - -William Congreve.

Well that is it, Take care, Be happy, Merle.

Post 47 - - - - - October 20^th, 2006.