A Frail Old Man

       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 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 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.
~Author Unknown~

Let me just say that the 5th Commandment says: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."
~Exodus 20:12~

Also,our elders deserve our utmost respect, they have seen things and survived more things than most of us would ever want to see. And when we live to be their age we might be in much worse shape than they, but will we no longer have feelings, will how we are treated have less of an impact on our still tender hearts. I think not, for even the senile still have thoughts and feelings. And another thought is the "Golden Rule", remember.... "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? If we treat our elders badly, who's to say our children won't treat us in the same manner. I pray that my children will also remember this, for they will also grow old one day. God bless us all, Amen.
Sincerely Dovie

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