Thursday, July 29, 2010

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.
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 amidst 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 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 real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.


The man asked the nurse, "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.

See you Saturday with my giveaway drawing announced. Still time to enter. Click HERE to read the details.


Have a Beautiful Day.
Blessings and Blue Skies Be Yours.
Celestina Marie

20 comments:

Olivia said...

Oh my sweets, that ornament is making me swoon and what a darling story. Love it.
Hugs,
Olivia

Bearly Sane said...

Oh Celeste I love this story, it's so uplifting. It reminded me somewhat of my hubby and his friend. They met in hospital while under going prostate removal and I would often arrive to see them chatting away giving each other moral support during a difficult time.
Funny we should both post on friendship today...but I think yours is so much more positive.
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Bearly Sane

Anonymous said...

That was so sweet that it brought a tear to my eye. I wish all humanity could care for one another like this man did for his room mate....
Have a Great Weekend!
Love,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Angels, Celeste. Angels are everywhere, aren't they. When we least expect them. Be fearful not to entertain strangers...

This touched me so much. One just never knows when a kind word of a smile might make THE difference in someone's life, someone you don't even know.

Blessings for your weekend,
Diane

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

That was a very beautiful and inspiring story Celestina, it has given me something wonderful to mull over this weekend while I paint and I thank you for that. If you don't mind I am copying it to send to a friend in an email. She is having a hard time right now and I think like myself it will help her think of things in a different way!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tina xo

Patti said...

What a beautiful story!! Truly, our words have the power to build others up, don't they? Or, sadly, to tear them down and discourage.

May the Lord make my words uplifting and encouraging.

Have a lovely day,
Patti

Ginny said...

I have heard that story before, but it alsways tugs at my heart wheever I read it again. Words are so powerful are they not? How many times have we said something to another and have seen the spark in their eyes? Yet, other times we say things and see the eyes turn down. Think before you speak is a good lesson to learn.

Unknown said...

G'morn, sweet Celeste ~ This brought tears to my eyes ...

Encourage & support is my philosophy thru & thru ... lift up another with positive words as God encourages us every single day. If ever for a moment I would bring sadness to another, I'd be the first to apologize ... I've seen this before & it still moves me how beautiful the message.

Have a fabulous weekend, sweet friend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Doni said...

Hello! Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story. I had that sent to me too a number of years ago, and have loved reading it again. Isn't it wonderful that we can choose to share beauty with others? Blessings! Doni

Betty said...

Such a wonderful and encouraging story. Thank you for telling us.

Willow

Mari said...

HELLO SWEETIE,

I HAVE READ THIS STORY BEFORE!!!
AND I LOVED IT SOOO MUCH!!! ITS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING FRIENDSHIP :)
HOPE YOUR DAY IS WONDERFUL :)

HUGS TO YOU SWEET BLOGGY FRIEND~XOX~MARI

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What a sweet and compelling story. I'd not heard this one before. Really makes one stop and think, doesn't it?

Hope all is going well and you are enjoying some quiet time with your BGuy!

Think I'm all caught up now! Such beautiful pics you've been sharing!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

roseroomnz.com said...

beautiful and bittersweet! Rachaelxo

p.s. your blog is looking so pretty!

A Hint of Home said...

What an amazing story of positive thinking and making the best of your circumstances. Very uplifting. An encouragment to always look on the bright side of things. Things usually can be worse.
I hope your week is ending on a good note and you got to accomplish all you needed and wanted to.
Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend. So good to get to know you better.

Anonymous said...

I'm lucky to have friends that lift me on my hard days, pray with me when needed and make me laugh until my gut hurts. I was meant to see you today. blessings my friend.

Robin said...

I too had heard that story before and it still brings tears to my eyes. Have a wonderful weekend!

Take Care - Robin

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

I have heard that sweet story before.
Friendship is such a beautiful thing and isn't it nice when we can encourage and be there for each other.
Thanks for all you share, dear friend.

I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend and that, it is not too hot there.
Hugs
Carolyn

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

I have heard that sweet story before.
Friendship is such a beautiful thing and isn't it nice when we can encourage and be there for each other.
Thanks for all you share, dear friend.

I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend and that, it is not too hot there.
Hugs
Carolyn

Chany said...

My dear friend, beautiful story, I hope you're not sick or your husband, and if so that peace and love of God be with you, giving you support and bra in his everlasting love, Chany

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Dear Celeste,
I love this story and I needed to hear it this morning. This is how we should be for each other, always trying to look at the beauty in life and trying to make others see it.

Thank you for all your words of comfort Celeste. She is now with her loved ones in paradise, the most beautiful place ever!

Love & hugs to you both, Sherry

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..