The Present

[smir953328]

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 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 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 is 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.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

beautiful....

[pielęgniarka, RN]

but i think i read this post on the general nursing forum as well.....

beautiful....

[smir953328]

but I think I read this post on the general nursing forum as well.....

Because this is such a beautiful story, I wanted to share with many. I posted it in different forums because many in the general nursing forum do no venture into the distance learning forum.

[NC Girl BSN]

What a great story...

[2CareerRN]

Wow...very touching. I will share with others.

[Raggedy Ann]

Very touching and how true. Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas! Traci

[~MIA~, ASN, RN]

thanks for sharing!:)