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 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.

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 they saw 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..........

Then, 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 that they were speechless.
No word was spoken but tears streamed down their cheeks
and 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.
Remember the saying 
"Children are like sponges, they absorb everything
and anything that is put in front of them."

Never forget to show others how much you love them
and never forget that little eyes are watching.

Inspire someone today.
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