James,
Here's a good one, not Irish, But still good to remember.
Great Party by the way. I've a link here from my place. ;)
Blessings
Valerie Clavin
Hugs = Priceless
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. ? 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 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 the things you have that money can '
> t buy. "Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present ." The
> origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who
> passes it on. Do not keep this letter. Just forward it to your friends to
> whom you wish blessings.