A frail1 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 blurred2, and his step faltered3.
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 tablecloth4. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated5 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 scraps6 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 Grand- father's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder7 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 remarkably8 perceptive9. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb.
If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.
Let's be wise builders and role models. Lord10, we ask not that you move the mountains, but that You give us the strength to climb. Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference. Take care of yourself, ...and those you love, ... today, ... and everyday!
一位年老体衰的爸爸去和他儿子、儿媳妇，还有四岁的小孙子一块生活。可他双手打颤，走路不稳，双眼视力还不好，看不了解东西。
一大伙人在一张桌子上吃饭，可老爸爸的手颤抖得厉害，又不可以看了解，吃饭非常困难。豌豆从调羹滚落到地上，可当他伸手去抓的时候，杯子里的牛奶又洒在桌布上了。儿子和儿媳妇为眼前的脏乱感到很恼火。
儿子说：大家需要为老头做些什么，我已经受够了他杯子里洒出的牛奶，吃饭时发出的响声，与把饭洒得满地都是。
因此，夫妻两个就在房间的角落里放了一张小桌子。于是，全家人一块进餐的时候，而只有爸爸一个人在角落里吃饭。爸爸每次吃饭的时候都会打破一两个碟子，因此他们就 把他的饭放在一个木头碗里。家人瞥爷爷的时候，发现有时爷爷眼里含着泪花。而且，夫妻两个同爸爸之间唯一的交流就是当爸爸不小心扔掉叉子或者把食物弄洒时严厉的训斥声。
他们四岁的儿子静静地注视着眼前发生的所有。一天晚餐前，父亲注意到他的儿子在地上玩弄一些木片，父亲亲切地问：你正在干什么呢？ 那个小孩子也同样语气亲切地回答到：哦，我正在为你和母亲做一个吃饭用的小碗，当我长大将来你们就能用了。
这个四岁的孩子笑着接着做他的碗。孩子的话深深震惊了这对爸爸妈妈的心灵，他们相对无语，眼泪顺着他们的脸颊流了下来。虽然他们没说一句话，但他们了解他们需要做些什么了。
那天晚上，儿子抓住老爸爸的手，慢慢地携带他回答桌子旁。那天晚上他和家人一块共进晚餐。当叉子掉下，牛奶四溢，桌布弄脏的时候，夫妻两个不再在意。孩子们有着非常强的洞察力，双眼在看，耳朵在听，与他们的大脑处置着他们所收取到的信息。
假如他们耐心地看见大家为家庭每一个成员所提供一个愉快的家庭环境，他们将会在他们未来的日常模仿这种态度。明智的爸爸妈妈意识到每一天所打造起来的砖石都是为了孩子的将来铺垫的。
让大家成为那些明智的建设者和各自角色的楷模吧。天那！大家又没需要你移动高山，但你需要给大家攀登高山的力量。生活是人与人之间的交往，并且那是绝对有意义的。今天，天天都要照顾好你一个人和你所爱的人！