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 of the rainbow. Grand
old trees graced the landscape, 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 world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for
himself. 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."
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone
who passes it on. Do not keep this letter. Do not send money. Just forward
it to your friends to whom you wish good luck..
Written By: © Author Unknown
Music: 'When Skies Are Grey' © Bruce DeBoer
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