a story internet-shared once before
circled again to my email door
this time i’ll park it on the blogging floor
if u like it, ask for more to score

a frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and 4-year old grandson
the family ate together at the table in unison
grandpa’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult
peas rolled off onto floor, milk onto tablecloth spurt
dishes got broken, indignations blurt

enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor
we must do something about father, the mess no longer ignore
set a small table in the corner, send mess there
serve food in wooden bowl, broken dishes no longer bear

so grandpa ate alone, thanks to the couple’s demeanor
so rest of the family can enjoy their dinner
gulping alone, tears in grandpa’s eyes were ignored
when fork was dropped, or food spilled, sharp admonitions roared

in silence, the 4-year old watched it all
nurture tugged nature, attention to call
one evening before supper, the father noticed his kid playing with wood scraps on the floor
“what are making, son?” he sweetly explored

just as sweetly the boy rebuffed, replicating how in future his family should sup
oh, i am making a little bowl for u and mama to eat your food in when i grow up

the words struck a chord
the parents were speechless, realizing their created discord
tears streamed down their cheeks
no word was spoken, they both knew what must be done, insight kicks

that evening, grandpa rejoined the family table
for the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with family, doesn’t matter whether he is able
turning point lesson not too late to reverse to move forward and observe golden rule springy coil
husband nor wife no longer seemed to care for fork dropped, milk spilled, or tablecloth soiled

so no matter what happens, how bad it seems today
life goes on, there will be a better tomorrow if your half-cup full be allowed to sway
u can tell alot about a person by the way
he/she handles 4 things – the elderly, lost luggage, tangled xmas lights, a rainy day

so regardless of the relationship with your parents to revive
you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life
u see, the nugget is that making a “living” is not the same
as making a “life” meaningful, fulfilling, fruitful game

which triggers dipping into my treasure trove to retrieve sandra carey’s pearl
“never mistake knowledge for wisdom. one helps u make a living, the other helps you make a life” swirl

life sometimes gives u a second chance for life, opportunity tends
carpe diem, don’t go thru life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands
throw something back as we stand on shifting sands

pursuing happiness is elusive
for happiness finds u when u focus on what u do for others, a “horse ahead of cart” missive
whenever one decides something with an open heart with right motive
u usually make the right decision elective

when one has pains
one doesn’t have to be a pain to get life gains
look out everyday to reach out and touch someone even when it rains
people love that human touch whether it be a warm hug
holding a trembling hand, an encouraging pat or shaken heart to tug

the karma of life is circular
what goes around, comes around sooner or later

and then there’s one circle to latch on that’s Alpha and Omega
to journey through life on earth spiraling one day to cosmos eternal

all our lives’ a circle but i can’t tell you why
season’s spinning round again
the years keep rollin’ by

lion king expounds
it’s the circle of life
and it moves us all
thru despair and hope
thru faith and love
on the path unwinding
in the circle
the circle of life