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 Two women, both seriously ill with low chances of survival, occupied the same hospital room.
One woman was allowed to sit up in her bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from her lungs. Her bed was next to the room's only window. The other woman had to spend all her time flat on her back.
The women talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their husbands and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in community service, where they had been on vacation...
Every afternoon, when the woman in the bed by the window could sit up, she would pass the time by describing to her roommate all the things she could see outside the window. The woman in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where her world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, she told her companion. Ducks and swans played
on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers
walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the
city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the woman by the window described all this in exquisite detail,
the woman on the other side of the room would close her eyes and
imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the woman by the window described a parade
passing by. Although the other woman could not hear the band - she
could see it in her mind's eye her roommate 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 woman by the window, who had died
peacefully in her sleep. She was saddened, and called the hospital
attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other woman asked if she could
be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch,
and after making sure she was comfortable, she left her alone.
Slowly, painfully, she propped herself up on one elbow to take her
first look at the real world outside. She strained to slowly turn to
look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The woman asked the nurse what could have compelled her deceased
roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the woman was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps she 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 story is unknown, but it brings good luck to
everyone who passes it on. I pray you will share this link with all
your friends to whom you wish God's blessings.
Thanks to:
Pamela Auma
Kenya
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