The Window
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The Window
| Thu, 10-09-2003 - 6:06pm |
THE WINDOW
>
>This is a great note for all to read. It will
>take just 37 seconds to read 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.
>
>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."
>
>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.
>
>People will forget what you said...
>People will forget what you did...
>But people will never forget how you made them feel...
>
>This is a great note for all to read. It will
>take just 37 seconds to read 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.
>
>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."
>
>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.
>
>People will forget what you said...
>People will forget what you did...
>But people will never forget how you made them feel...

Miss P
Thanks for posting. It's a beautiful story and thought.
Deb
Debbie