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"The Greatest Love Of All"

Happiness Shared

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 vacations.

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 fowers of every color 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 by. 
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 and slowly turned 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 his 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 ~ happiness shared, is doubled.  If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.

"Today is a gift ~ that's why they call it the present"
~ Origin Unknown ~

Footprints

Don't Let Yourself Down

Believe in Yourself

When Day Is Done

Dream and Live

The Looking Glass

Nothing To Fear

Home

He Always Will

My Oath

The Man
Who Can

Kids!

The Purple Hat

Money

One

Strength

Number One

Praying Hands

You and Yourself

Serenity Prayer

Feeling Worthless?

My Special List

You Said

Two Days

Simple vs. Real

Daughter's Speech

If A Dog ...

Bill of Rights

2nd Ten Commandments

Memo

Butterfly

Interview With God

Accept Me

Needed. One Friend

Soulmates

I Love
You

Quotes

Awesome
Links

Parable
Of The Rose

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