[00:05.89]A frail old man went to live with his son,
[00:09.74]daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson.
[00:12.90]The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
[00:19.90]The family ate together nightly at the dinner table.
[00:23.29]But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands
[00:27.07]and failing sight made eating rather difficult.
[00:30.07]Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
[00:33.68]When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth.
[00:38.61]The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
[00:42.98]So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
[00:47.14]There, grandfather ate alone
[00:49.94]while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table.
[00:53.49]Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
[01:00.71]Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction,
[01:05.29]he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone.
[01:08.80]Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions
[01:13.72]when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
[01:16.57]The four-year-old son watched it all in silence.
[01:20.40]One evening before supper,
[01:23.13]the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
[01:27.62]He asked the child sweetly,“What are you making?”
[01:32.11]Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
[01:35.74]“Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama
[01:40.08]to eat your food from when I grow up.”
[01:42.50]The four-year-old son smiled and went back to work.
[01:46.44]The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.
[01:50.27]Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
[01:54.10]Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
[01:58.58]That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand
[02:02.64]and gently led him back to the family table.
[02:05.48]For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.
[02:10.54]And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer
[02:15.45]when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
[02:20.71]Children are remarkably perceptive.
[02:23.45]Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen,
[02:28.97]and their minds always process the messages they absorb.
[02:33.62]If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members,
[02:38.87]they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.
[02:42.70]The wise parent realizes that every day is being laid for the child’s future.
[02:49.27]Let us all be wise builders and role models.
[02:52.99]Take care of yourself ... and those you love ... today, and everyday!
