Two elderly gentlemen, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One gentleman was supposed 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 gentleman had to spend all his time flat on his back. The two gentlemen shared with each other for hours on end. Each knew nearly everything about the other’s family, home, job, military service, travels and other hobbies or interests.

Every afternoon, when the gentleman by the window would sit up, he would pass the time by sharing with his roommate all the things he saw outside the only window. The gentleman in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his narrow environment would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the outside world.

The gentleman by the window would describe how the window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans swam while children sailed model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and there was a fine view of the city skyline beyond, with snow-capped mountains in the distant horizon. As the gentleman by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the gentleman in the other bed would close his eyes and imagine these picturesque scenes.

The gentleman by the window would describe parades that would pass by the window, picnics that would occur in the park, games that would be played between families or sports teams, and each time his roommate would close his eyes and envision it all in his mind as it was portrayed to him.

Days passed quickly with these descriptions. One morning, the day nurse arrived to give the gentlemen their baths, only to find the lifeless body of the gentleman by the window. He had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened, and called the hospital attendants to take his body downstairs to a holding room where the funeral director could receive the departed gentleman. When it seemed appropriate, the remaining patient asked the nurse if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch for him, and after assuring his comfort, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, and against doctor’s orders, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look in a long, long time at the world outside. He would have the joy to see this wonderful world for himself. He strained to lift himself up, but just could not make it. He rang for the nurse. When she entered the room, he asked if she would raise his bed just a bit so he could gaze for a moment at the beautiful world outside the window.

The nurse replied, “I can do that for you, but there is nothing to see out there but that blank brick wall!”

The astounded gentleman said, “But my roommate described such wonderful scenes outside this window!”

The nurse responded, “I am not sure to whom you are referring. Your roommate was totally blind. He could not even see the wall!”

Just as shared grief is halved, shared happiness is doubled – and more! You are rich when you just count all the things you see, even in your mind’s eye. Today is a gift – use and enjoy it! Be a Dreamer and Visionary to others.

Author Unknown