Something to ponder

[kleinboet]

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 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."

 

The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to

everyone who passes it on.

 

 

Do not keep this letter.

 

Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings.

[DavyR]

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

 

It did take me about 37 seconds to read, but it didn't change my thinking. I still think: "Why is it that this sort of horrible sentimentalism invariably comes from USA sources and never UK ones?"

 

But then I'm just a miserable cynic. A happy miserable cynic, though.

[gozzer]

It did take me about 37 seconds to read, but it didn't change my thinking. I still think: "Why is it that this sort of horrible sentimentalism invariably comes from USA sources and never UK ones?"

 

But then I'm just a miserable cynic. A happy miserable cynic, though.

 

Welcome to the club, Davy.

 

 

John.

[kleinboet]

DavyR - it was emailed to me from a Britsh source, although that wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. The sentiment is the same.

There are too many "me-me-me's" in this world!

[DavyR]

There are too many "me-me-me's" in this world!

 

No argument there! It's just the sugary tone of the USA-derived stuff that makes me queasy. I tried Googling "Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room".

 

Result: General Web Search = 687 hits

Limited to UK sites = 1 hit

 

Homilies are so much more palatable in the stirring language of the King James Bible. Or Scouting for Boys.

[Chris Goddard]

Aye, BUT it is a NICE tale all the same.....................If it IS a bit syrupy!!

[Newt]

Well I liked it. Maybe it is as DavyR said, a difference in style and preferences since so many of this style story do start in the States.

 

I tried to think of some non-insulting reason for so many Brits to not appreciate this sort of story-with-a-moral but could not. Can anyone help me out here?

[DavyR]

I tried to think of some non-insulting reason for so many Brits to not appreciate this sort of story-with-a-moral but could not. Can anyone help me out here?

 

Maybe we Brits sentimentalised ourselves to exhaustion during the Victorian era - it was very popular in the UK then. Anyone of my age who grew up with the satirical shows of the 60s such as "That Was The Week That Was" and all those that followed after generally find sentimentality hard to stomach.

 

It could also be due to the uncomfortable feeling that we are being lectured to by these un-subtle fables that spread like viruses around the Net. And that we detect a whiff of hypocrisy therein, however well-meaning they appear to be.

[hembo]

Maybe we Brits sentimentalised ourselves to exhaustion during the Victorian era - it was very popular in the UK then. Anyone of my age who grew up with the satirical shows of the 60s such as "That Was The Week That Was" and all those that followed after generally find sentimentality hard to stomach.

 

It could also be due to the uncomfortable feeling that we are being lectured to by these un-subtle fables that spread like viruses around the Net. And that we detect a whiff of hypocrisy therein, however well-meaning they appear to be.

 

 

we are just too cynical,allthough it was a nice tale.

[gozzer]

I think it all depends on how you see the story.

 

 

A cynic might say that the blind man was just taking the p**s, or that he was a politician.

 

 

John.