| This is an archived forum, so it is here for read-only purposes only. We are not accepting new members and members cannot post any longer. Members can, however, access their old private messages. Strawberry Fields was open from 2006 until 2011. There is a Strawberry Fields Beatles Forum on Facebook. If you are registered with Facebook, join us at the group there! |
| The Wooden Bowl; heart-warming | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 24 2007, 06:30 PM (408 Views) | |
| Bag O' Nails | Jan 24 2007, 06:30 PM Post #1 |
|
MaccaMomma
|
The Wooden Bowl 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, sometime 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 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. 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.! |
![]() One sweet dream came true....London & Liverpool '08 | |
![]() |
|
| JanaW | Jan 24 2007, 07:53 PM Post #2 |
|
This is wonderful. Thank you so much! |
|
If slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. Linda McCartney | |
![]() |
|
| Big Beatle Fan | Jan 24 2007, 09:52 PM Post #3 |
|
Am I any less of a guy if I say that made me tear up?? |
| Every night I just wanna go out. Get out of my head. Every day I don't wanna get up. Get out of my bed.<a href='http://eapr-1/@0@Bradley@1@Georgia@' target='_blank'></a> | |
![]() |
|
| Queenbee | Jan 24 2007, 10:04 PM Post #4 |
|
Moderator
|
Nice rules to follow through your life. Set a good example and your children will follow. |
|
PEACE and love to my friends, Judy When the Power of Love over comes the Love of Power, the world will know Peace. -Sri Chinmnoy Ghose Till me meet again ~ I Love you Mike! You were one of a kind. | |
![]() |
|
| MaccasGirl | Jan 25 2007, 12:06 AM Post #5 |
|
Born To Be Wild
|
Very nice reminders of how we should all live everyday. And we all have much to learn about life yet. |
|
And in the end...The love you take..Is equal to the love you make. | |
![]() |
|
| BEATNUT | Jan 25 2007, 12:37 AM Post #6 |
|
Hey Bags! Nice going.. But here I will dedicate this to all of you who have had Mothers that you were real close with but they have passed on. But we still remember them...I know that this is for mine who has passed on. The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning." But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this." Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come." And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children," A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you." And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength." And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. " And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God." And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them." And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence......." Your Mother is always with you.... She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... not even death! |
| Location: Self-Imposed Exile. | |
![]() |
|
| ogoble | Jan 25 2007, 12:42 AM Post #7 |
![]()
|
My daughter bought me a wooden bowl for Christmas......now I know why.
|
Beatles/Paul McCartney & Wings Fan
| |
![]() |
|
| Kit_Kat | Jan 25 2007, 12:53 AM Post #8 |
![]()
Lennon's Mummy xx
|
Thought this was gonna be a story complementing Jayne's wooden spoon :lol: |
![]() ![]() This can be summed up in one word - organised crime | |
![]() |
|
| MaccasGirl | Jan 25 2007, 01:58 AM Post #9 |
|
Born To Be Wild
|
BEATNUT, that was so touching. I still have my mother but she is walking the walk down that road at 86 years of age and lots of health issues. We are grateful for each day that she has here. |
|
And in the end...The love you take..Is equal to the love you make. | |
![]() |
|
| Bag O' Nails | Jan 25 2007, 02:14 AM Post #10 |
|
MaccaMomma
|
Nutty, Thanks for sharing that...I've read that one a long time ago and it touches me deeply...I know you miss your mom and that she was very dear to you.
|
![]() One sweet dream came true....London & Liverpool '08 | |
![]() |
|
| bec_walker | Jan 25 2007, 02:19 AM Post #11 |
![]()
|
Interesting but sad thread. I know I'm gonna miss my parents when they go, we're very close. |
|
Keeping Rock n Roll Alive: http://www.cavernshowcase.com http://www.kingsizetaylor.com | |
![]() |
|
| Bag O' Nails | Jan 25 2007, 02:24 AM Post #12 |
|
MaccaMomma
|
Yes, it makes one THINK about how important it is to treat them with love and respect NOW, because one day they will be gone from this earth... |
![]() One sweet dream came true....London & Liverpool '08 | |
![]() |
|
| BikerLikeAnIcon | Jan 25 2007, 02:49 AM Post #13 |
|
Awww
|
![]() | |
![]() |
|
| Merry | Jan 25 2007, 03:16 AM Post #14 |
|
Beautiful and very touching, too!
Never a day goes by that I don't miss my mother. Merry |
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Jan 25 2007, 04:11 AM Post #15 |
|
Deleted User
|
I can't fathom life without Mom or Pop.
They're so integral to my livelihood. We're a huggy/very physical family from Mom and Pop down to Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I feel sorry for those families that aren't "touchy". |
|
|
| BEATNUT | Jan 25 2007, 04:20 AM Post #16 |
|
Hang on to those you love, never take them for granted. Unfortunately Diane, you know too well that life can turn on the dime. My two sons are 18 and 19 and they drive now. Every night I pray they get home safe. Every morning I wake up without incident is a gift from above. I'm sure my mother watches over them while I try to close my eyes. And Bags, you know me a long time, you know I often spoke of my mother. Thanks for remembering.
|
| Location: Self-Imposed Exile. | |
![]() |
|
| Queenbee | Jan 25 2007, 10:22 PM Post #17 |
|
Moderator
|
My Mom has been gone 14 years this February 7th, and I miss her so much. I try to live my life as she has shown us by example. She died just before her 61st birthday. She didn't judge others and was always there for the underdog. She would give you the coat off her back. In fact when her sister died 3 months before her, she gave a diamond heart necklace, (that my brother gave her), and laid it in the casket on her sisters hands. We were trying to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. Mom wanted to give Sandi something that meant a lot to her. Then when Mom died (3 months later), my brother who hardly spoke since Mom died, while the two of us were talking about Mom at her casket, and how generous she was and always gave things away and how hard it was for us to buy her a gift, that she wouldn't give away. Then my brother said, "All I want is the diamond necklace I gave Mom. I don't want it for my wife or the girls, I'm going to put it on a chain and wear it. I know how much Mom loved the necklace." And then I smiled and said, " Rich, remember when you were saying Mom gave everything to others?" and he said, "Yes she did." I said, "Well that diamond necklace you gave her, when Sandi died, Mom place the necklace in the casket, by Sandi's hands........and that's where it at today." He just start laughing and crying and finally just kind of let go.......so then he took his ring and placed it by Mom's and said I'll be back tomorrow for this and you better not give it away. next thing you know, others were placing their jewelry in the casket, thinking the same thing. (how weird we are??) It was a funny moment at a sad time. My Mother was had 7 other sibling and my Mother had 10 children (I'm 2nd oldest). I've talked to Beatnut about our Mother's. We lost them too young in our lives. And Mom's have a glue in them, that holds families together. I proudly stepped into her shoes and will continue to love others as she has. Sorry this is sooooo long. |
|
PEACE and love to my friends, Judy When the Power of Love over comes the Love of Power, the world will know Peace. -Sri Chinmnoy Ghose Till me meet again ~ I Love you Mike! You were one of a kind. | |
![]() |
|
| Kit_Kat | Jan 25 2007, 10:32 PM Post #18 |
![]()
Lennon's Mummy xx
|
Judy, don't worry about it being long - I loved reading it
|
![]() ![]() This can be summed up in one word - organised crime | |
![]() |
|
| Rose | Jan 25 2007, 10:35 PM Post #19 |
![]()
Well, here's another clue for you all, the Walrus was Paul...
|
((Judy)) EXCELLENT post. I loved reading every word. Thanks for sharing. |
![]() "I'm in awe of McCartney. He's about the only one that I am in awe of. He can do it all. And he's never let up... He's just so damn effortless." ~ Bob Dylan | |
![]() |
|
| Queenbee | Jan 26 2007, 02:04 AM Post #20 |
|
Moderator
|
Thank you Nat and Rose, It's getting close to that time of year. Time does heal, but you can't but help have those crying moments, no matter how many years go by. A Mother is a Mother always in your heart and no one can replace her.
|
|
PEACE and love to my friends, Judy When the Power of Love over comes the Love of Power, the world will know Peace. -Sri Chinmnoy Ghose Till me meet again ~ I Love you Mike! You were one of a kind. | |
![]() |
|
| « Previous Topic · Things We Said Today · Next Topic » |















2:26 PM Jul 11