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 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 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. 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.

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 now.