Hospital Window

The Hospital Window THE HOSPITAL 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.

> >

Rena Stanphill... 2008