Rarely do I forward emails I receive simply because so many people say they get so much junk mail, but I really liked an email I received tonight and wanted to share it with my AR community.
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
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, sometime 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.
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, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
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.
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.!
One of the first stories my husband shared with me when we were dating was how his Mother purposely spilled a glass of milk on the floor to show her kids, there was no point crying over spilled milk. Often times we get caught up in the little mishaps and fail to see the big picture.
This past week has been very challenging for me with a lender closing it's doors the day before my clients were to close! I was more then a little worried. The seller of the home they were buying had a contingent offer at stake, my clients had to be moved out of the home they sold last weekend and I am leaving for a 10 day vacation this Friday. Nothing seemed to be going right but once I stepped back, took a deep breath and realized it is what it is, things seemed clearer and with any luck we will record and fund tomorrow!
In this crazy market we are in as RE professionals and lenders, what can we really do except ride it out, learn from others, encourage others and don't sweat the small stuff. If you believe it'll all work out it will BUT if you fret and are negative, negativity will surround you and the spilled milk will be a HUGE deal!
SMILE, LAUGH, LOVE, HUG, KISS, PERFORM RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS AND PRETTY SOON YOUR HEART WILL OVERFLOW WITH JOY!!
Sandy Noll
Realtor, eAgent
Keller Williams Realty
425-890-0878
sandranoll@kw.com
http://www.letsachieveyourgoals.com/
Woodinville, Kirkland, Bothell
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