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 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 the building blocks are being laid for the child's
future.
Let's be
wise builders. You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old
because you stop laughing.
