The Wooden Bowl I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, 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 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 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 throwsomethingbacksometimes. 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! FRIENDSHIP CANDLE NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED. GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS. I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable -- ********************* This candle was lit on the 15th of September, 1998 Someone you know has helped keep it alive by sending it to you. Don't let The Candle die. Pass It On To All Of Your Friends and Everyone You Love!
Good timing as my father will be coming to live with us a a few days. Hopefully He wont be quite that messy and if he is then oh well, He's cleaned up many of my messes in the past.
Exactly. I think so many kids forget what sacrifices their parents made for them for so many years. Most likely they had to spend their time and money on things for their kids that they would much rather have spent on themselves, yet they never complained about it. There comes a time for many of them to pay it back, and I believe they should if they are able to.
I don't speak of this stuff often, but the story rings true. My father, a Buick engineer in the late '60's to the '70's, suffered Multiple Sclerosis. Mom and I cared for him at home until his last days, he died in '88 when I was 21. In the early '80's, my Mom's mother suffered a stroke. Mom and I convinced the family that we would be Grandma's best caregivers; it was true! We both had what it took to take care of my Dad and Grandmother and we did. Grandma passed in '92. We had incredibly wonderful friends/neighbors who helped make it all possible. Since then Mom and I were sort of "go to" people when questions arose about this sort of thing. I helped her as well through her struggle with pancreatic cancer; she died in 2010, but before that she helped me with taking care of my wife, who had brain tumor surgery and still suffers with epilepsy today. It's not easy, it's difficult. Love is why it can be done. Advice to you caregivers: Take care of yourself. It's easy to forget this. Don't neglect yourself while helping others, even loved ones...you still have your life to live, too! Devon
My father had dementia for awhile before we found out.There was his neice who I had never heard anything about who was living with him & "taking care" of him for several months.One day my cousin who's a CPA & did dads taxes called & told me I'd better go visit dad,he was burning through money.He never spent money so I dropped everything and headed across state to investigate. After talking to my cousin,we went to dads house & tossed the bitch out,literally told her pack your **** & leave....you have 30 min. After investigating we found she had drained his retirement,my 2 kids college fund,and found several real estate business cards around the house.She was going to sell his house out from under him.ou: I guess the brillo pad chunks ground into the carpet & casino receipts were a clue to where his money went. Cutting to the chase,we moved him in with us & took care of him for 3 years until it was just beating both my wife & me to the point of exhaustion.One day I caught myself yelling & cussing at him because he went to take a shower,didn't & left the water running & went back to bed.I realized we had done all we could,he needed constant monitoring.For a couple years after we moved him to a care facility I felt so guilty....one day I came to grips we had done all we could do for as long as we could. I did enjoy having him around those years,as frustranting as it was & fondly look back that I was able to return some of the help he had givin me over the years. I didn't visit him in the long term care as much as I wanted,it was so depressing once he turned vegetative.Couldnt talk,walk,eat...didn't react to anyone at all. One day I stopped by & talked to him,stayed for about 10 min & left feeling helpless.Shed a few tears in the parking lot.About 2 hrs after I got home the facility called & told me he passed away. I was so glad I went to visit that day....I almost didn't.
My Grandfather came to live with us when I was little. He was a Master Pastry Chef and loved to make us treats. Sadly, as time went on, he developed dementia and could no longer be trusted with the stove as he would wander off. He was always loving to us and cared for us. I still miss him and Nana.
Wow old thread. Dad passed in July of 15. Sister, bro in law and I were at his bed side in ICU when he went. Dont really think he knew we were there. I could never get him to listen to me when I told him about accepting Christ so he would go to heaven so i dont know if he'll be there when I arrive. I did call the hospital priest to administer the last rights , he was raised in a Catholic home. Its about all I could think of to do . I have my doubts about that too. I have a picture of he and I on my desk.
