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, sometimes 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 so 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 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 nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.

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.

Have a good day clusterhead friends!

Very nice Jimi - a gentle reminder to all of us.

Have a great day.

Happy Wednesday!!

-when I tell people Happy Monday, they often look at me and grumble, or some tell me its an oxymoron...

I see it as a day to begin another week - a good one if I can help it any (and I know that starting it with a good attitude makes all the difference in the world!  Especially when my week is usually started at work if I can help it...)

So - Thanks Jimi that was a cool post.  reminders are always so nice.  

Val

Quote:

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

Among all the agreeable lessons, if you're looking for the opportunity, this happens more than sometimes.    ;)


Nice, Jimi.    :)

Brooooooooooomie's the one who started me on Happy Monday. Now it's become the norm for me, no matter what day it is.

Thanks Jimi...

Hugs BD :-*

Thanks Jimi!  It is to easy to get so involved in ourselves that we don't look beyond the end of our noses to see who we can be an encouragement or a help to.  

    "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."

That is so true!  The way to find happiness is to create it for others.  My Dad always used to say, "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

Jerry

Wonderful Jimi...THANK YOU! This was my finding the joy moment for today...

And Val, I really like the "Happy Monday". Many of my colleagues are depressed and depressing every Monday. All they can do is count the days down to Friday when they can be happy again...while missing the joy that is right in front of them. When they say "I can't wait til Friday" my standard reply is "don't wish your life away...it's way too short and going faster every day".

Best,

Jon

Often the hearts of men and women are stirred, as likewise they are soothed in their sorrows, more by example than by words. And therefore, because I too have known some consolation from speech had with one who was a witness thereof, am I now minded to write of the sufferings which have sprung out of my misfortunes, for the eyes of one who, though absent, is of himself ever a consoler. This I do so that, in comparing your sorrows with mine, you may discover that yours are in truth nought, or at the most but of small account, and so shall you come to bear them more easily.

Luvelly stuff Jimi
Colin.

Thanks Jimi. I loved this story...sniffle...

Hugs,
Langa

jon019 wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 8:32pm:

Wonderful Jimi...THANK YOU! This was my finding the joy moment for today... And Val, I really like the "Happy Monday". Many of my colleagues are depressed and depressing every Monday. All they can do is count the days down to Friday when they can be happy again...while missing the joy that is right in front of them. When they say "I can't wait til Friday" my standard reply is "don't wish your life away...it's way too short and going faster every day". Best, Jon

hello honeybun - my reply to "mondays" or any day of the week is I'm not hating anything that takes up a seventh of my life!
Every day this side of the grasss is a blessing!

Thanks Jimi - I like that alot

Thanks Jimi.

[quote author=72505D5D58525E6E7A5855310 link=1245258994/6#6 date=1245276297
 My Dad always used to say, "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."
Jerry
[/quote]

I get my haircut at a salon/beauty parlor whatever you want to call them. One day I was waiting my turn and overheard a lady in a wheel chair talking about her up-coming birthday to another lady. The lady in the wheel chair had had both feet amputated. Why, I don't know.

1st lady: "What are you think your husband will get you for your birthday?"
Lady in the wheel chair: "Oh, I don't know but I do know what I'd really, really like to get."
1st lady: "Sounds special. What is it?"
Lady in the wheel chair: "A pedicure!"

Then the two ladies cracked up in the happiest laughter I've ever heard.

Thanks Jimi.