The Hospital Patients

[paints]

The Hospital Patients
Author Unknown

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 holiday.

And 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 colour 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 colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape 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 world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. 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."

[teresa3200]

I have heard this story before. It is so touching and uplifting.

[paints]

I had never heard it.

And I agree, it is heartwarming... 

[Sendmicheck]

Yes indeed, it is very heartwarming.

[Penwoir]

I have heard this story before, and I think it is as heart warming as the first time I heard it. I made me realise that how we see things, is entirely up to us. I mean, I'm an optimistic person and I chose to see a glass half full. I know some people who chose to see a glass half empty. My sister received a Christmas letter from a lady we know who is somewhat elderly. She has had cancer for some years now and has had various rounds of Chemotherapy this year. She writes in her letter that she loves to spend time looking after her grandchildren, she loves to walk in the meadows full of lillies, she has employed a Gardener who will tend to her lawns and flowers so that she can continue to appreciate what she cannot do for herself. She even takes her own elderly mother out for day trips. Now, that's what I'm talking about.

[sgluckadoo]

Robs me of my breath.