> > >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 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 in when I grow up."
> > >
> > >The four-year old smiled and went back to work.
> > >
> > >The words struck the parents so, 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 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 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.
> > >
> > >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.
> > >
> > >People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm
> > >hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
> > >
> > >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.