The Wooden Bowl – El bol de madera (reader comments)

The Wooden Bowl – El bol de madera

Comments from readers:

This is one of the sweetest stories that I have ever heard.  My mother is 85 years old and I am her primary caregiver.  Many times I have had to miss school (I am a 3rd grade teacher) to care for my mother.  I always apologize to my students and explain that “believe it or not, one day you will be where I am and need to be taking care of your parent.”  After watching this video, I forwarded the email to our school counselor and told her I would like to share this with with my class.  Thank you for finding such a sweet way to communicate the sad reality of life.

Donna L.

I never thought a story I could not hear from my computer, because I had difficulties with the sound, could be so heart-felt solely from viewing the illustrations of this book.  It momentarily brought my father, who resides in another city, home. Many times have I seen him do the things depicted in this book and so much more as I reflect on my coming years old age.  It hurts to see my father aging.  I would like to see him with the youth and vigor of past times, hear him tell of his life’s lessons and give him some of my energy, but this is not within my power.  However, there is something I can do: Share with him the anecdotes collected from my pre-school students.  He enjoys hearing how happy I am when my preschool students teach me lessons on life or how to become a better human being.

Thank you for sharing this story with me!    Olga Najera

Nunca pense que una historia que no pude escuchar por problemas de sonido en mi computadora me hiciera sentir lo que mi corazon sintio esta noche con tan solo ver las imagenes de este libro.Me trajo a mi señor padre a mi casa estando el en otra cuidad, cuantas veces lo he visto hacer estas cosas y mas, y he pensado en mi vejez. A mi  me duelen los años que mi padre tiene porque quisiera verlo unos años mas joven y volver el tiempo atras, para volver a oir sus enseñanzas, hoy en dia yo quisiera darle de mi energia, pero no puedo.Pero hay algo que si le puedo brindar: la Felicidad de mis anecdotas con mis alumnos de Pre kinder, el las disfruta al contarle lo inmensamente feliz que soy cuando mis alumnos me dan leccione de vida para yo seguir mejorando como ser humano en todos los aspectos.

Gracias Mil por compartir esta historia conmigo!!!!!

Olga Najera.

Such appreciation of a love and respect a grandchild has for his grandfather.  With this in mind, out of the mouth of babes comes the truth and realization of how as children we tend to forget that our parents accepted us as we were babies and growing up and understood that all the messes we made were part of who we were in the process of growing up.  May my children not forget what I, as a parent, so readily, willfuly, and lovingly,did cleaning up after them knowing that is was just part of the process of growing them up.  May they be so readily, wifuly and lovingly be accepting of my old age and my messes and clean up after me and show respect for me knowing that someday they will also be old and messy. Thank God for the hope this little story gave me.  The hope that when I get old my grandchildren will respect, love me, and accept what I have become.

Frances Molina

I listened to the story this morning and it brought tears to my eyes.  I do training for adults who work with children.  I also work on three reservations and I feel this book would be excellent as the Elderly are sacred.  I would share this book with child care providers both on and off the reservation.  It has beautiful lessons to be taught.

Barb Biwer

I enjoyed the story – it’s very touching! Sometimes it does take a child to open our eyes!

Barbara Stark

This book brought me to tears as it reminded me of the times I lost patience with my mom during her last year here with us.  Although I never put her aside from anything we did, I would become impatient when she did not respond or became “fussy”.  She was dealing with dementia during her last year and I only wish I had understood it better at the time.  I have many regrets now but, I am working through them.  I think this book is a wonderful tool for adults as well as for our youngsters.  If adults could see that the change in our lives in our senior years is liken to the beginning of our lives, perhaps they could understand the shortcomings of our senior citizens in a different light and  respond to them in a positive manner.  Thank you for writing this beautifully written, very sensitive and thought provoking book on a common every day occurrence that needs to be addressed.

Nancy Kalvin

I attended the National Family Literacy conference in San Diego last week and had a chance to visit with Ramona Moreno. I told her that I wanted to purchase a copy of The Wooden Bowl for my husband because we recently learned that my father-in-law had been diagnosed with COPD and that he and his brothers were having a difficult time dealing with their father getting older and his condition. I told her that I thought The Wooden Bowl would be a great gift so that they can keep in mind how important it is that no matter how frustrating and difficult it is to watch parents get old we need to treat them as we like being treated. My husband read the book the night I returned from the conference and thank me for his wonderful gift. He very much appreciated the story and the message conveyed in the story. Thank you Ramona for signing the copy for me. We will treasure this gift for a lifetime.

Rosa