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Certainly worth thinking about! 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. 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 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 >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 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 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 of the things you have >that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's 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. Do not send money. Just >forward it to five of your friends to whom you wish good luck. You will see >that something good happens to you four days from today.