Story Time: A frail old man went to live with his son

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!