Re: OT - Because I care about all of you

[Guest guest]

What a beautiful story!  Thank you so much for sharing, makes you stop and

think.

Robin

________________________________

To: LBDcaregivers

Sent: Thu, January 14, 2010 10:45:32 AM

Subject: OT - Because I care about all of you

 

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 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 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

four 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 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 sometimes.

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.

I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just

did.

************ *********

This is to all of you who

mean something to me,

I pray for your happiness..

The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship