FW: The window

[Guest guest]

One of my local PC-Mates sent me the below…..like him, though you may have read it before, I think it is worth passing on to you folks since it warms the heart. Chuck Always as close as the other end of your computer to help address any prostate cancer concerns. " What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. " (Chuck) Maack - Prostate Cancer Advocate/Activist Email: maack1@... PCa Help: " Observations " http://www.theprostateadvocate.com This short story, written by G.W. Target in 1998, has been a popular e-mail topic. I found it moving...perhaps you will enjoy it, too. The Window 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 details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days, weeks and months 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 besides 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 is why it is called The Present .'

[Guest guest]

> 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 is why it is called The Present .'

>

I try every day, with differing degrees of results to do this.

Some days it seems impossible to be optimistic and upbeat about surviving cancer

and having to deal with the side effects. Damn them as they are.

Other days it is glorious to know that we beat the evil that is PCa and I have

been given another chance. Another chance to do what? Perhaps, as this story

illustrates, to recognize and seize the opportunity to do good for others and to

increase their quality of existance while I am able.

Thanks for sharing this. The benefit of having done so may never be understood

in this realm. I applaud you as one who dared to make a difference in another's

life. May you continue to be blessed in your work.

-Rich in Missoula, MT, USA