I hate chain letters. Especially those that are sent out with the warning that something bad will happen to you and your family if you don’t sent them back or if you don’t forward to at least 7 people in your contact list.
I am a very superstitious person, and that’s the problem. My big problem. So when I sense that an email sent to me is of that kind, either I don’t open it (and it stays in my inbox for all eternity) or i delete it. I know. I’m unfair. But I got to do what I got to do. Or else, i’ll have sleepless nights worrying over something. It’s crazy.
Well, anyway, there is one email though that I was happy to receive.. This e-mail, although not exactly a chain letter but verging on that, does not speak of bad things happening to me if I don’t send it out. But I’ll send it out anyway. I’ve read this email before, I swear, but it might not had any relevance to me before. It did not impress me at all. But now things are different and I view this email differently now.
The story in the email is entitled : The Wooden Bowl, and it goes :
“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! “
I thanked the person who sent this to me . I said, “Thank you for this email. I have a 3-year old and a 7-year old who are both very perceptive.”
My two boys made all the difference between now and then.
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