A Chicken Soup for the Soul kinda story...
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SL, you would have seen this already on another forum, but let's share it here...
The Hospital Window
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." -
After reading this, there was a lump in my throat and I was speechless for a while...
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ah teh version i read was more.....
hmm more of a left u to ponder for a few min kind? haha
the end was.. the man asked about what the dead man saw or sth
and the nurse replied.... the man's blind..
n end of story
the last few line goes sth like... if u couldn be happy, make others happy... cos u'd be happier at the end of the day knowin u made someone's day or sth like that -
ooh.. yea... that story never fails to bring a tear to my eye!
What an inspiring story, eh? -
Oh yeah!Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:ooh.. yea... that story never fails to bring a tear to my eye!
What an inspiring story, eh?
Y'know, back when the Chicken Soup for the Soul books first came out, I read it on the MRT, as I was none-the-wiser. Then, as I read the story, my eyes started to tear and I had to quickly stop reading, and try to look up so that the tears won't fall!
It was soooo pai seh! On a crowded train some more!
Another mistake was reading 'Tuesdays with Morrie' on the bus! Read it halfway then, alamak... eyes started to turn red and almost cried in public again!
Never ever read such books outside the home! -
Nice, there is alway someone out there who will give you encouragement when you are out and down. I consider this good friends.Originally posted by Rhonda:After reading this, there was a lump in my throat and I was speechless for a while... 
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True! I was very fortunate to have a lot of good friends surrounding me recently when I had to go through a really awful assignment. Thank goodness they were there to accompany me when I wanted to go out, listen to me patiently when I vented my frustrations and anger, and generally, for just being there, even if it means just chatting with me online!Originally posted by LinYu:Nice, there is alway someone out there who will give you encouragement when you are out and down. I consider this good friends. 
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You are indeed blessed.Originally posted by Rhonda:True! I was very fortunate to have a lot of good friends surrounding me recently when I had to go through a really awful assignment. Thank goodness they were there to accompany me when I wanted to go out, listen to me patiently when I vented my frustrations and anger, and generally, for just being there, even if it means just chatting with me online! -
Thanks!Originally posted by LinYu:You are indeed blessed. 
But can always do with even more blessings that way! 
And oh, before I forget, Welcome to Club 30, LinYu! -
Oops ! I am 13 onlyOriginally posted by Rhonda:Thanks! But can always do with even more blessings that way!
And oh, before I forget, Welcome to Club 30, LinYu! -
Doesn't matter!Originally posted by LinYu:Oops ! I am 13 only All of us here are from different age groups! As long as you like to yak here, you're welcome! -
And its a good thing you speak(type?) properly as most 13 year olds around me type 1n th1s 1rr1tat1ng mann3r....Originally posted by LinYu:Oops ! I am 13 only -
Thanks. thought this post is pretty inspriational so reply in a more appropriate manner otherwise will anyhow how talk liao and talk 3 talk 4Originally posted by seow:And its a good thing you speak(type?) properly as most 13 year olds around me type 1n th1s 1rr1tat1ng mann3r.... 
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Rohnda, get the chicken soup for nurses soul.