A
frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old
grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step
faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas
rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often 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 at the dinner table. Since
grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in
his eye as he ate 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 from 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 that building
blocks are being laid for the child's future.
Let
us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and those
you love, ...
today,
and everyday!
