The Wooden Bowl

Hey Folks.

So much has been going on. In December, my daughter aka BabyGirl graduated college with her Masters and she landed her a job as PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR. I'm so proud of her.


My life is same as medical issues keep arising but what else is new? Nothing life threatening. Just irritants.

What I want to share with you is a little story that I received when Hubby and I went to a presentation regarding Alzheimer's and Dementia. Some of you may have heard of it but for reminders and for those who didn't here it is. This broke my heart and wanted to shake the son and daughter-in-law. But a lesson is to be learned.

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now and 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 shaken  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 man."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 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 or wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped and milk spilled on the tablecloth soiled.

Until next time....Reflect on  the message of this tale.

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