The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
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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 need 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.


I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did.

MS Walk & Relay for Life

Today we signed up for the MS Walk on Saturday November 6, 2010 at the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens. We are a part of "Team Cupie Cakes". I am so proud to be walking and helping raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and I can't wait until then. The kids and I will have TONS of fun.  

I am also working on getting a team together for "Relay for Life". Another great cause that needs our involvement. Stay tuned for more updates on both causes...

Another Class Completed... And Another One Begins...

Last night was the completion of another class. I'm really struggling with school. It is not an easy thing to do, being a single mother and working fulltime. I passed this class with a "C". Not well at all but I passed. Each class from here on out get's harder than the one before.

Tonight began the new class. This one is a 4 week class. Here is hoping that this class goes better than the last...

The Joys of Having Boys....

Oh the joys of having boys... On Friday night poor Kenneth broke his collar bone. He snapped it right in half. He was playing tackle football with some of the neighborhood kids and lost his footing when he went he caught the ball. One kid pushed another one of the kids and she fell right on top of him and her head hit his collar bone just right. He is doing pretty good. He wants to use the arm and then cries when he does. He does have to see an orthopedic surgeon to see if surgery will be needed to repair it or if they will just keep it in the sling and let it heal. No sports for now...

Medical Law & Bioethics Done...

Medical Law & Bioethics FINISHED!! Woo-Hoo!!! Passed this class with an "A". It was a pretty tough class (and another 4 day class at that) but I managed to get through it. Bring on the next class... 

Another Class Down...

And yet another class is finished with another "B"... I am hoping this next class I can get all my homework done and get an "A"..

~ Welcome August ~

Wow! I can't believe August is already here. Where has this year gone? Well the kids start school in 8 days. My babies are growing up so fast. I cannot believe Kimberly will be in 8th, Kenneth 7th, Dillon 5th, Kaylee 2nd, and little Miss Alexandra will have a home tutor until there is an opening in the local pre-school. Gosh how the time flies.