Carl H. Reiss" wrote:

 

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...

 

People will forget what you said...

People will forget what you did...

But people will never forget how you made them feel...