The Window

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
The Window
5
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...

       ~~Rhonda~~


<

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
In reply to: rsmurray
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 7:50pm
Beautiful!Thanks for posting.

Miss P




 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
In reply to: rsmurray
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 7:54pm
Thanks Rhonda!
Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rsmurray
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 9:07pm
And here I am grousing about a long lead-time delivery. I should blush...

Thanks for posting. It's a beautiful story and thought.

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
In reply to: rsmurray
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 8:23am
Thanks for sharing.

Deb

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: rsmurray
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 3:16pm
I just LOVED this, thanks Rhonda!
Katherine (Kat)