Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour eachafternoon 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, theirhomes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service,where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by thewindow could sit up, he would pass the time by describing tohis roommate all the things he could see outsidethe window.The man in the other bed began to live for thoseone hour periods where his world would be broadened andenlivened by all the activity and color of the worldoutside.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 inarm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view ofthe city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this inexquisite details, the man on the other side of theroom would close his eyes and imagine thispicturesque scene.One warm afternoon, the man by the window described aparade passing by.Although the other man could not hear the band, hecould see it i n his mind s eye as the gentleman bythe window portrayed it with descriptive wordsDays, weeks and months passed.One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring waterfor their baths only to find the lifeless body of theman by the window, who had died peacefully in hissleep.She was saddened and called the hospital attendantsto take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other manasked if he could be moved next to the window. The nursewas happy to make the switch, and after making sure hewas comfortable, she left him alone.Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on oneelbow to take his first look at the real world outside.He strained to slowly turn to look out the windowbeside the bed.It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelledhis deceased roommate who had described such wonderfulthings outside this window.The nurse responded that the man was blind and couldnot even see the wall.She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourageyou.' Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness whenshared, is doubled.If you want to feel rich, just count all the thingsyou have that money can't buy.'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'