Saturday, March 7, 2015

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

46 comments:

eileeninmd said...

What a lovely message and story.. Thanks for sharing! Wishing you a very happy weekend!

Karin said...

Eine tolle Geschichte die das Herz berührt ,ja man braucht nicht immer Augen um einem andern Menschen eine Freude zu machen. Grüße Karin

Sola Scriptura said...

Thank you for sharing this sweet story! I hope you're having a delightful weekend!

Feral Turtle said...

Oh my...I got a wee bit choked up reading this beautiful story. Thank you for sharing :)

TexWisGirl said...

so very sweet.

Stephanie said...

Oh Celeste, this is one of the most precious stories I have ever heard! This truly touched my heart....thank you, friend for sharing with us.

Hugs and blessings to you!

Kathy said...

Oh my goodness, that was beautiful.

Laurie said...

That was a lovely story. I want to be that kind of person, that no matter my circumstances...I can bring joy and encouragement to others. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Celestina, Very touching beautiful post!
Love,
Larry

Anonymous said...

I am not a believer but I believe in goodness of the human and this story is the proof. Very touching story.

Pammy Sue said...

Such a sweet story. Thank you for sharing it. I will always remember it. ♥

Jan Hermann said...

Beautiful story...thanks for sharing it with all of us! Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Jan ♥

Stacey said...

I've read this story before and it so perfectly describes two completely different ways to look at life. What a great reminder!

Crissi said...

A beautiful but sad story!
Be blessed
hug
Crissi

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Celeste,
Reading my blog roll today I have had many tears from emotions being spiked, we are meeting friends for dinner tonight and I will most likely have puffy eyes!!!
Reading what you shared I realize it was a perfect story to tell during Lent. Thank you sweet Celeste, this beautiful account will stay with me and grace my heart in belief that ones soul is truly divine.
xoxo,
Vera

Tina said...

lovely story

Valerie-Jael said...

A wonderful and heartwarming story! Thaks for sharing. Hugs, Valerie

Red Rose Alley said...

Celestina, I heard this story many years ago and thought it was beautiful then, and after reading it now, I still think it's a beautiful story.

Thank you for sharing. If we use our imaginations, we can see wondrous things.

Have a blessed weekend.

love, ~Sheri

Anonymous said...

Oh, Celeste, this was so sweet and carries a wonderful message. If more of us would think of others the world would be a better place. You, make the world a better place, sweet one.
Blessings,
Shelia ;)

Alessandra said...

I know this story! It's a beautiful, lovely and very touching. I believe in angels and i think that the blind man was an angel.
Kisses
Alessandra

Sandi said...

This was incredible. Thank you!

Joy Junktion said...

Thank you for sharing this sweet story! I heard it/or a similar story many years ago and it has made an impact on how I treat others around me! Blessings to you, Cindy

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh that was beautiful. Yes, we should help more people along our life's path.
A act of kindest may man the world to another person.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hug
Mary

Anonymous said...

Very sweet and compelling.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That's a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it, Celeste.

cynthia lee designs said...

What an amazing and beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
~Cindy

Junkchiccottage said...

Beautiful story and message. Thank you for sharing this with all of us Celeste.
Kris

Donna said...

What a beautiful story, Celestina. My eyes welled up just reading it. I would hope that I could be such an encouragement to others. Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful weekend!

The Cranky said...

A sweet story, and lovely message to carry with us through our lives; thank you for sharing it!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

What we do for love...that is all I can say through these tear-blinded eyes.

That was awesome, my friend. Happy Sunday! Anita

Linda M. said...

Celeste, Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. A gift of love, hope, encouragement, and inspiration. Joyous Wishes, Linda

Cindy Lou said...

Made me cry!

Grandma Linda's Daydreams said...

Thank you Celeste, for this beautiful story. May the words of my mouth be an inspiration to others, like this blind man's were. May I see the beauty in the everyday moments, may I truly show my love and let them see Him in me, when I speak, and by my walk. Thank you for sharing this.

Debbie said...

What a beautiful message you shared today, Celestina. It truly warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing this.
God Bless You.
Debbie
xo

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

This is the first time I've read this and it's a beautiful story. Have a Happy Sunday Celestina!

Rose L said...

You made me cry but in a good way. Thank you!

Linda Walker said...

Celestina,
I have heard this story before but it never fails to touch me whenever I read it. So heartwarming. Thank you for your post. I enjoyed reading it again!
xo
Linda
ps have a lovely week!

Cynthia said...

What a beautiful and moving story. This brought a tear to my eye. Amazingly moving. I'm going to share this. Thanks friend

Cindy

Anonymous said...

Celeste, what a lovely story that is so touching! What a sweet reminder that life is how we choose to "see" it! Thank you for sharing it!

Claudia said...

Dear Celeste,
thenky ou for sharing his wondeful and sweet story with us!
Wishing you a great start into the new week, sending Love and hugs and blessings,my dear friend,
Claudia xo

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Thanks for sharing a wonderful and sweet story Celestina. I needed to read something like that this morning. Thanks my friend. Have a wonderful week!

farmhouse-story said...

such a meaningful message--thanks for sharing, celeste:)

1CardCreator said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and touching story. ~Diane

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

So beautiful and so many lessons to learn from this story. The world is what we make of it, and I pray that I can also see the beauty around me, even when it's not there.

NanaDiana said...

Celeste, That is the most beautiful story...of man's kindness to man. What a wonderful thing he did to make both their days a bit brighter. xo Diana

Dorthe said...

This is the most beautiful story dear Celestina Marie, of human goodness, when it is best. Thank you so much !!
Hugs,Dorthe

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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..