Sent by H.Julian Spyer <hspyer@cisco.com>
Author Unknown
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/2001/onlywindow7nov01.shtml
Nov. 7, 2001
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 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.
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the opinion of the author and is provided for educational purposes only.
It is not to be construed as medical advice. Only a licensed medical doctor
can legally offer medical advice in the United States. Consult the healer
of your choice for medical care and advice.