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 man’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor, and, when he picked up his 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 noisy eating, spilled milk, 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 together. And, since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
Occasionally, the family would glance in Grandfather’s direction during a meal and see a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions whenever he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The couple’s four-year old watched all of this in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son sitting on the floor, playing with scraps of wood. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “I’m making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The boy smiled and went back to work.
The child’s words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Within moments, tears were streaming down their cheeks. Though not a word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening, as the family was about to sit down to dinner, the husband gently took his father’s hand and led him to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither the husband nor the wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth was soiled.
Easy is to get a place in someone's address book…..Difficult is to get a place in someone's heart.
Easy is to judge the mistakes of others…..Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes.
Easy is to talk without thinking..…Difficult is to refrain the tongue.
Easy is to hurt someone who loves us…..Difficult is to heal the wound.
Easy is to forgive others…..Difficult is to ask for forgiveness.
Easy is to set rules…..Difficult is to follow them.
Easy is to dream every night…..Difficult is to fight for a dream.
Easy is to show victory…..Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity.
Easy is to admire a full moon…..Difficult to see the other side.
Easy is to stumble with a stone…..Difficult is to get up.
Easy is to enjoy life every day…..Difficult to give its real value.
Easy is to promise something to someone…..Difficult is to fulfill that promise.
Easy is to say we love…..Difficult is to show it every day.
Easy is to criticize others…..Difficult is to improve oneself.
Easy is to make mistakes…..Difficult is to learn from them.
Easy is to weep for a lost love…..Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.
Easy is to think about improving…..Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action.
Easy is to think bad of others..…Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Easy is to receive..…Difficult is to give.
Easy to read this..…Difficult to follow.
Easy is to keep the friendship with words..…Difficult is to keep it with meanings.
- unknown -SPIRIT
THE WOODEN BOWL
soul food