WHAT REALLY MATTERS

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 eyesight made eating difficult.Peas rolled off his spoon and onto the floor.When he grasped the glass milk spilled on the the table cloth.
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 eyes as he sat alone.Still the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonition 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 curiously,"What are you making?"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 boy 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 or wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped,when milk was spilled,or when table cloth was soiled.

--taken from St.Thomas Church Sunday Bulletin
Norlane,Geelong, Victoria
Australia