Re: something to think about

[Guest guest]

Debra - wow. That was such a profound story. Thank you!

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deb, I like those stories, so i thought i'ld share

one of my fav's:

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 begain

to live for those one-hour periods where his life

would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity an 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 amn 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. Once 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 it 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

the 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.