A Story of Encouraging Words~

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 in a bed across the room.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, 

their homes, their jobs,

 their involvement in the military service, 

and 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 among 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 daytime  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 come tend to the man.

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 and look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

When the nurse returned the man asked her,

"What could have compelled my deceased roommate

 to have described such wonderful things outside this window."

The nurse responded, that the man was blind 

and could not even see the wall.

She went on to say, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

The author to this sweet story is unknown,

 but I felt it had special meaning and wanted to share with you,

like it was shared with me, from a dear sweet friend.

I hope your day is full of friendship with encouraging words. 

Days of special moments and hope. 

Memories to last a lifetime and God to guide your journey.

May you see parades along the way~~

Have a great weekend!!

Be Blessed,

Celestina Marie