Fw: Fw: FW: The Window (fwd)

[Guest guest]

>>>> > Subject: The Window> >> >> > The Window> > A great note for all to read. It will take just 37> > seconds to read this 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. 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. Do not keep> > this letter. Do not send money. Just forward it to> > your friends to whom you wish good luck. You will> > see that something good happens to you four days from> > today.> >> > People will forget what you said...> > People will forget what you did...> > But people will never forget how you made them feel...>