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[amit1000]

Being a mother of two very active boys, ages seven and one, I am sometimes
worried abut their making a shambles of my carefully decorated home. In
their innocence and play, they occasionally knock over my favourite lamp or
upset my well designed arrangements. In these moments when nothing feels
sacred, I remember the lesson I learned from my wise mother-in-law.



This wise old lady is the mother of 6 and grandmother of 13. She is the
embodiment of gentleness, patience and love.



One Christmas, all the children and grandchildren were gathered as usual at
her Home. Just the month before, Grandma had bought beautiful new white
carpeting after living with the "Same Old Carpet" for over 25 years. She
was overjoyed with the new look it gave her home.



My brother-in-law, Arnie, had just distributed his gifts for all the nieces
and nephews – prized homemade honey from his beehives. They were excited.
But as fate would have it, eight year old Sheena spilled her tub of honey
on grandma's new carpeting and trailed it throughout the entire groundfloor
of the house.



Crying, Sheena ran into the kitchen and into grandma's arms. "Grandma, I've
spilled my honey all over your brand new carpet" Grandma knelt down, looked
tenderly into Sheena's tearful eyes and said, "Don't worry sweetheart. We
can get you more honey."