BBRCPageCaption
RedDiv2

HOME

NEWSLETTER

BBRC INFO

LEADERSHIP

ONLINE FORMS

LINKS

MEMBERS ONLY

EMAIL

RedDiv1
ROAR1

ReveilleHeader

Vol. 17, No. 38, March 21, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

This Reveille Home Page | The Friday Program: A Vote for Wellness | Owens Gets Big Award | We Get Letters | Friday Potpourri | Brown Reclassifies | Retreat Questionnaire | New Member Proposed: Kelly Nolan | Student of the Month: Julie Gockel | The View From The Window | Web Fun

THIS WEEK

Rotarians will learn about Patterson Creek Camp, with Jay Peppin. This camp assists special needs kids and their families and kids who have AIDS and cancer. Jay will describe its services. Buffet Breakfast at 7:00 a.m., meeting and program at 7:30. Bring a potential member and enjoy!

ADMIN CORNER

Thanks for your cooperation responding to the club’s AR. This is the final Friday of the quarter, so please use the cashier to bring your accounts up to date, or mail your remittance to BBRC, PO Box 3003, Bellevue WA 98009-3003.

The rush of Irish sayings and prayers was overwhelming this year. Thanks to Ernie Hayden for his invocation last Friday. Here’s one he didn’t have room for:

An Irish Prayer

Bless those who love us

Those that don't, may the good Lord turn their hearts. And, if He can't turn their heart, may He turn their ankle so we'll know them by their limping.


The View from the Window

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 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 real world outside. 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. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

 

TOP

BlueDiv2
CentLogo

CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

BlueDiv1