Post by undineworker on Sept 6, 2006 6:25:04 GMT
THE HOSPITAL WINDOW
by Author Unknown
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."
Doesn't everyone appreciate the significance of this amazing story? I was sent it by a very good friend today. The viewpoint is that in helping other people we equally help ourselves as we are all one under the skin.
Love and Light
Lizzie xx
by Author Unknown
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."
Doesn't everyone appreciate the significance of this amazing story? I was sent it by a very good friend today. The viewpoint is that in helping other people we equally help ourselves as we are all one under the skin.
Love and Light
Lizzie xx
