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Thursday, October 24, 2013

Two Men

by Dianne


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 .'

49 comments:

Just_Lin said...

Dianne That was sweet. Thanks for sending it in.

Just_Lin said...

It's lonely in here.

Just_Lin said...

Where is everyone?

sacBarb said...

G'day J/L. I'm here. We found another wifi place. It's the restaurant where we are eating dinner. I posted a cornent on FB but the pics I tried to post didn't work. Don't know why. Will try again the next time we find wifi. Went for a walk on one of the beautiful beaches along the Tasmanian Sea. Loved walking in the water.

Waving a wing to all the Owls. Hope everyone is well.

Jodi said...

DIANNE - Very nice story...great way to start my day. With a smile :)

Jodi said...

SLIN - Sorry I left you hanging yesterday pretty lady! I worked until noon, then took a nap in preparation for going to the show last night. What a fabulous show!! I had never been to a full on drag show before, and I loved it! The guy that impersonates Cher was fabulous!! I got some great shots and a video. I posted them to fb...check them out!

Jodi said...

BARB - So jealous!! No water here warm enough to walk in. It's one of the things I really enjoy about Hawaii!!! Playing in the water, the sound of the waves and the scent of sea air! Have a great weekend "Down Under" ♥

Jodi said...

Busy day here. I took Tim out for breakfast, met my friend Rhonda for coffee, put flannel sheets on our bed, and did laundry. Getting ready to hunker down for the night because its my weekend to work.

Have a good night HOoters <3

Just_Lin said...

Barb Waving a wing back at ya. Hope you didn't run into any Tasmanian Devils. It sounds like you are having a wonderful trip.

Just_Lin said...

HOdi Drag shows are so fun and entertaining. Cher and Bette Midler are my favorite impersonations. Was there a Bette and a Diana Ross in the show, too?

Jodi said...

SLIN - Cher was the main attraction, so no other real "stars"!

Jodi said...

Yesterday was a crazy busy day. There was a craft fair down the road at our Middle School, so we were slammed! Days like that go by fast, but it's hard on a person. It was also a bad books day. My predicted overage was $1,200....wtf!!! I did my magic and got the books to balance.

Jodi said...

DIANNE - You should have an easy win at home today. It should be an interesting Packer game at the Vikings. What with playing against Greg Jennings that jumped ship earlier this year. He talked a lot of smack. Hopefully we can "zip it" ;)

Just_Lin said...

HOdi $1,200 is a pretty big discrepancy. At least you were over and not under. Yikes!

I'm going to a neighborhood potluck today. It's a chance for us all to actually meet each other. What a concept! LOL

Jodi said...

SLIN - The problem was all in counting out the first drawer. The next person counted in and got the wrong total, too. I just made the second person balance and used that starting cash as the ending cash on the first shift, and walla...magic!! KWIM?!!? Ha!!! Have fun at your potluck pretty lady!!

Dianne/Denver said...

Well we won and looks like you will too Jodi although, it would sure help my fantasy football if your quarterback would slow down.

JL, was the pot luck fun? What did you make? Did you meet some new people?

My tooth pain is much better but now I'm trying to get bronchitis!!! I figure I'm antibiotics already for tooth so I found some presnedone and walla.....I'm a dr and treating myself!!! Hope I get better.

My granddaughters cheer team won first place competition yesterday. Very excited we were there for five hours. Louis took her to airport at 6:00 this morning to fly to Florida to meet the family for a weeks Disney vacation. She didn't want to miss competition. It was nice having her stay with us a couple of days.

Barb, looks like you are having a lot of fun on your trip. How's the light suitcase doing?

Mary, what are you up to over the weekend? Over your cold yet? I think you gave it to Louis. It's all that muahing you do!!!

Wow Jodi, that was a big drawer fix. Glad you got it all worked out. Did u go to the craft show? I used to love those but too much walking now for me.

Looks like packers just scored again!!

Mary/MI said...

Yoohoo! I'm still alive! Today is the first full day I have felt good!
Finally we are all healthy!

Barb, I loved the pic of you in the water!How cool that you can show us!

Jodi, I see you have been a whirl wind of activity! Glad your books balanced!

JL I have been to a drag show in Vegas,they had Dianna Ross along with Cher,Barbara Streisand,and the best Joan Rivers ever! It is still playing there,after many years.

Dianne, looks like the Broncs managed to pull it off, like the Lions! We were sitting down foe dinner as the last minutes were playing (Lions behind). I told Jim and my son I would kiss their asses if the Lions won. I was THAT sure they were going to lose lol! Well, we won, and NO, I did not kiss their asses lol!!

Dianne/Denver said...

So Mary, wel he'd on a bet?? Not good. Glad your tram and you are doing better but you still passed on the germs. Grr

Dianne/Denver said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARB. Hope you have a great day.

Jodi said...

DIANNE - No slowing down!! We are in first place in our division and I like it!!! I hope your self diagnosis and treatment goes well. Off to the top branch for you. I don't have time for that! And no, I didn't go to the craft show. I was too freakin' tired after my crazy shift!!

Jodi said...

MARY - Glad you stood your ground and didn't pass out the kisses ;) Glad u r feeling better lady!!

Jodi said...

BARB - Happy Birthday...love u ♥

Just_Lin said...

Barb HAPPY BIRTHDAY! XOXO

Just_Lin said...

Dianne I enjoyed the neighborhood potluck. It was a great turnout. I did meet a few new people but I tended to talk mostly with those I already knew. I guess that's pretty normal. There was lots of food. People on my side of the street were asked to bring something sweet so I made lemon bars. They seem to have gone over well as I didn't have any left to bring home.

Just_Lin said...

Mary Glad you are all feeling better. Glad you didn't kiss any asses, either. That should be a lesson about being careful how you make your bets.

Just_Lin said...

Mary Glad you are all feeling better. Glad you didn't kiss any asses, either. That should be a lesson about being careful how you make your bets.

Just_Lin said...

I guess I was emphatic about that. LOL

Just_Lin said...

HOdi You are always so busy it's a miracle that you aren't too freakin' tired all the time.

Jodi said...

SLIN - Two words.....coffee and naps!!! Lol!

Dianne/Denver said...

And one more thing Jodi...YOUTH!!!

Jodi said...

DIANNE - Well I AM younger than TINA!!! Lmbo!!!

Mary/MI said...

JL, Yes, you were " emphatic" LOL!

Barb, I know you are having a great Birthday in the land "down under!"

Dianne, I agree "youth is the magic word! I had all kinds of energy at her age. If memory serves, sex was not bad then either lol!!

Jodi, have a ball with your friends tonight. Strike em dead!!

Dianne/Denver said...

Mary..I have the same memories you do. ...sigh

Jodi said...

MARY - Bowling was fun!! I bowled better than my average :D

Jodi said...

DIANNE - THIS is what I have to look forward to? ;)

Mary/MI said...

Hi all! Not much happening today.I took the dog for a walk since it was a nice day. I hate wasting the daylight hrs with the time change coming. For some reason the early darkness puts me in a gloomy mood. I will have to start getting up early to get my shopping done. Not easy for a night owl lol!
The rain is moving in tomorrow.Bleck!

I get my roots did tomorrow. I may even squeeze in some shopping :)

Jodi, enjoy your hubby while you can lol!!

Dianne/Denver said...

Welllll....JL seems to be doing okay, Jodi. Mary and I are just old and maybe need boyfriends to secretly sneak in at night. I have a feeling that Louis would not approve!!

My volunteer canceled today. She fell down two weeks ago and had to go to the dr. I missed her for the last two weeks I hopefully can switch my other volunteer around and see the first one Thursday BUT its root canal part two Thursday this week. I will just have to see how it goes plus in going to my sons to see the boys for Halloween. Busy day and not time to hurt like last week. My nose/tooth pain is finally almost completely gone. I think my cough is better too. Whew...that was a big paragraph of boring information.

Hope you all had a good day today we've had kind of gloomy weather the last couple of days but I think it's going to get nice tomorrow. I'll be blowing that rain to the Midwest. Woosh.

JL...what are you up too?

Missing you, Barb.

Just_Lin said...

Dianne Here I am! I've been out running errands, including trying to figure out what to get my daughter for her birthday. I found some rather pricey diamond earrings at Kohl's but if I go back Friday I can get them for 55% off, plus use various coupons and Kohl's cash, will bring it down to less than a third of the original price. Score! Guess I know what I'm doing on Friday.

Oh, and yes I am doing quite well in the sex department. I lucked out with that.

Just_Lin said...

Mary I keep waiting for rain but it keeps not coming. I get my roots did on Thursday. We'll be looking like a couple of young chicks. LOL

Just_Lin said...

HOdi I've been feeling the need to have an afternoon coffee lately. I'm not sure why but I am really hitting an energy slump at about 4 in the afternoon. Maybe it's the changing of seasons.

Mary/MI said...

welllllll JL do tell, or show vids ;)
I'm not sure I can take the sex-itment though lol!!

Dianne, you could never bore me. I think your DDS is doing enough of that for you lol!!!

Jodi,missing you on your perch tonight!

You too Barb! I thought you might have been up there today with your kookaburra bird :)

Jodi said...

Waving a wing....I'm here!!

Jodi said...

MARY - Trust me....I enjoy him. A LOT!!!

Jodi said...

DIANNE - I think you got that wrong. I'm still young AND "getting it" ;) Good luck at the dentist! And how fun, seeing the boys for Halloween. I think this is the official end of dressing up for trick or treat for my kids. Jake got invited to a Halloween party, but will not be going out door to door. I think I will though...with my shot glass of course!!!

Jodi said...

SLIN - I think you are right. It won't be long til it's almost dark at that time. I HATE that!!! The one advantage of my extreme hours is that I still get to enjoy some daylight at the end of my shift!!! Happy shopping. I love Kohl's!!

Jodi said...

Heading to a wake for my Great Uncle Connie this afternoon. I'm picking Aunt Jane up at 3pm. He was almost 90 and such a gentle soul. I will miss his smile and sense of humor ♥

Mary/MI said...

Sorry about you Uncle Jodi. Looks like you too are going through your share of funerals. Let's hope it is done for a while.

My grays are gone for a few more weeks. She even colored my eyebrows. You would think the grays would at least stay out of there...and "down ther" lol!!
I treated myself to lunch at Paneras. Salad and soup. I took one sip of the soup and no more! Nasty tasting summer squash soup. I love summer squash, but this was not for me.

It was a beautiful day today, the air was crisp and the sun peeked a few times.

Heading to FB....

Jodi said...

Thanks MARY! I hope this is the last one for awhile.

Jodi said...

Both my boys have an orthodontic assessment later today. Thankfully I have a section 125 savings account and can take the money out of my paycheck pre-tax for braces. We're also blessed that Paul's insurance pays 50%!