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.
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