Something to share with you. Long post.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Something to share with you. Long post.
8
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 6:25am
Two men, both seriously ill.....

>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 couples 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 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."

>Lessons: 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.

>People will forget what you said...

>People will forget what you did...

>But people will never forget how you made them feel...

>Make someone happy, share a kind word today.

>A good word is charity.

 

             

Avatar for krsecond3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 7:08am
Thank you Dannie for that reminder to do something special for someone today (and every day). Kathey
Kathey
Avatar for marmoranana
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 7:18am
Such a wonderful thought to start the day. Thank you Dannie. I had heard that story a few years ago, but forgot it. Hopefully, that won't happen this time.

Lanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-1999
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 8:30am
Thanks for posting this story, Dannie. I have read it before and it always inspires me!

I thank God every day I was born with an *optimism gene* ... if there's such a thing. For some reason I never focus on the dark side of anything for very long. I'd like to think I'd be like the blind storyteller in the face of such adversities.

But either way ... story teller or the listener, I would be blessed!

Thanks for sharing.

F.

 

Avatar for jfhm11
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 12:21pm
Thanks Dannie, that really makes you think!

And hopefully appreciate all that we have.

Hugs,

Fran

Avatar for kittypaws12
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 12:23pm
Great story, Dannie. Thanks for sharing it, I hadn't heard it before. BTW, Happy MT Week!
Avatar for emty_nstr
Community Leader
Registered: 05-25-1999
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 12:31pm
Thanks Dannie.....Janet
Avatar for klrambo
Community Leader
Registered: 10-19-2000
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 2:05pm
I've often seen that story - a couple of versions of it! Love it each time! Thanks for sharing.

Hugzzzzzzzz

(:|:) Kt

Co-Community Leader at:
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You are loved ~~ far more than you may ever know!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 05-20-2003 - 3:59pm
I have heard that before, it is a beautiful story...Susie

Hugs,

..