I came across the story below in one of my Management articles. I thought it was a great story, and made me realize how important it is to encourage each other. I'm so thankful we have such a great group of dog people that are supportive and help one another.
As we head off to an AKC trial in MO this weekend, I'd like to take a moment to wish BEST OF LUCK and LOTS OF FUN to Mary Beth/Titan and Renee/Belle as they try out some USDAA for the first time this weekend. Also, GO Wendie/Dervish as they earn that last Grand Prix Qualifier!!
Now for the story....
This is the story of two men, both seriously ill, who 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 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 and look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window when there was nothing there. The nurse said she didn't know. She just knew the man was blind and could not even see the wall. "Perhaps," she said, "he just wanted to encourage you."
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Great thoughts. When I hit a rough spot in training, I keep a mental picture of how I want the finished product to look and I KNOW we'll get there . . . six days, six weeks, six months, it doesn't matter. We WILL get there. And we always do. ( :
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