Something to ponder over a cup of coffee ...............
Just take 30 seconds to read this. It's worth it.
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.....
And 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 of 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 is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone
who passes it on. Forward it to five of your friends to whom you wish good
luck. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. Work like you
don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's
watching. -