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.
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.
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.
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 detail, the man on the
other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She
said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
