The hospital window

[bfez1]

A great note for all to read it will take just 37
> > seconds to read this and
> > change your thinking.
> >
> >
> > Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same
> > hospital room. One man was
> > allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each
> > afternoon to help drain the
> > fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's
> > only window. The other
> > man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The
> > men talked for hours on
> > end. They spoke of their wives and families, their
> > homes, their jobs, their
> > involvement in the military service, where they had
> > been on vacation.
> >
> > Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the
> > window could sit up, he
> > would pass the time by describing to his roommate
> > all the things he could
> > see outside the window.
> >
> > The man in the other bed began to live for those one
> > hour periods where his
> > world would be broadened and enlivened by all the
> > activity and color of the
> > world outside.
> >
> > The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
> > Ducks and swans played on
> > the water while children sailed their model boats.
> > Young lovers walked arm
> > in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view
> > of the city skyline
> > could be seen in the distance.
> >
> > As the man by the window described all this in
> > exquisite detail, the man on
> > the other side of the room would close his eyes and
> > imagine the picturesque
> > scene.
> >
> > One warm afternoon the man by the window described a
> > parade passing by.
> >
> > Although the other man couldn't hear the band -- he
> > could see it. In his
> > mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed
> > it with descriptive
> > words.
> >
> > Days and weeks passed.
> >
> > One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water
> > for their baths only to
> > find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who
> > had died peacefully in
> > his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital
> > attendants to take the
> > body away.
> >
> > As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man
> > asked if he could be moved
> > next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the
> > switch, and after
> > making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
> >
> > Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one
> > elbow to take his first
> > look at the real world outside.
> >
> > He strained to slowly turn to look out the window
> > beside the bed.
> >
> > It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what
> > could have compelled
> > his deceased roommate who had described such
> > wonderful things outside this
> > window.
> >
> > The nurse responded that the man was blind and could
> > not even see the wall.
> >
> > She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
> >
> >
> > Epilogue:
> >
> > There is tremendous happiness in making others
> > happy, despite our own
> > situations.
> >
> > Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when
> > shared, is doubled.
> >
> > If you want to feel rich, just count all the things
> > you have that money
> > can't buy.
> >
> > "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the
> > present."
> >

[GalvestonDuck]

*sigh* How sweet.

[JCT777]

That was wonderful, Bonnie.

[petal*pusher]

Thanks Bonnie........I needed that!!....p