Things to think about

[Nana]

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 .'

[spiritdream]

Wonderful....thank you.

[rmrc51]

Excellent!

[Rod69]

Very Good, goes to show how we should look at life.

[hdruss]

Nana - Thanks for that story. My wife's breast cancer is progressing and at times it's hard to keep a positive attitude! A simple story like the makes you think a little differently and adjust your attitude a little more positively. It shows there's always another side to life. - Russ

[iron cg]

Prayers go out to your wife and you Russ .

[Lucky]

Thanks NANA

[Nana]

Nana - Thanks for that story. My wife's breast cancer is progressing and at times it's hard to keep a positive attitude! A simple story like the makes you think a little differently and adjust your attitude a little more positively. It shows there's always another side to life. - Russ

Cancer is such a struggle in EVERY way and affects every person in the family, Russ. Our prayers are with you both for strength, courage, and peace through this storm!!!

[skuuter]

FANTASTIC STORY Nana, GOOD STUFF.....

[Ray Monroe]

Nana, wonderful story- thank you for sharing.

Russ, I will pray for your wife and you. Faith and prayer are powerful forces if they are employed. My heart is with you friend.

[87Trike1200]

WOW - what a story! Thank you. Also, our prayers go out to Mary and Russ. Stay positive - there has been amazing progress in recent times with cancer treatments (I know). Never, never give up.

[JimmyDee]

I finally read something worthy of headline news. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[pcombe]

You tell a good story Nana. Keep it up!

My prayers will join with the others for you and yours, Russ!

[editor55]

Great story Nana, I copied it and gave it to my wife so she can publisher it in her editorial column of our newspaper.

Russ...our prayers to out to you and your wife. It is tough to stay positive. My wife was diagnosed with Diabetes and Breast Cancer in 2012. The Breast Cancer was early and reports say everything is great. She has her diabetes under control. But problem is you keep waiting for something else to show up.

[Nana]

Great story Nana, I copied it and gave it to my wife so she can publisher it in her editorial column of our newspaper.

Russ...our prayers to out to you and your wife. It is tough to stay positive. My wife was diagnosed with Diabetes and Breast Cancer in 2012. The Breast Cancer was early and reports say everything is great. She has her diabetes under control. But problem is you keep waiting for something else to show up.

That's great, editor55. Please tell her not to give ME personal credit though. I do not know the original author, and I got it from an email a friend sent me. It was just too beautiful to not share!

[Angelbymyside]

That is a very beautiful story Nana. I have read it somewhere else a long time ago, but it is so well told and was definitely worth reading again. Thank you for sharing.