The Hospital Window

Author Unknown

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 rooms's only window. The other man had to spend a;; 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 a midst 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 but 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.

"Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you," she said.

In Conclusion, 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, and share it.

"Today is a gift, that's why it's called the present."

Tip of the month: October

(I really tried this and it worked like a charm)

To get rid of fruit flies, mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish soap in a wide mouth jar. Then fill the res of the jar with water until the bubbles reach the rim. The flies are attracted to the scent of the apple cider vinegar and die in the bubbles. When the bubbles disappear, dump some of it out and fill it with more water. Takes 24-48 hours but you will get them ALL.

Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies

Ingredients

1 stick butter, room temperature

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

2 eggs

2 boxes Jiffy Blueberry Muffin mix

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together butter, cream cheese and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Add muffin mix and mix well. Fold in white chocolate chips with a spatula. Place dough in the fridge to chill at least 1 hour. Bake 13-15 minutes, until cookies are just browned. Let cookies cool on the pans for a minute before moving to cooling racks.

Reminders

The General Relief Society Broadcast is this Saturday, the 28th at 5 pm at the Stake Center. If you signed up to bring treats, please remember to bring them.

Sunday, Sept. 29th is Fast Sunday.

And last but not lease, Who's excited for General Conference?

General Conference will be October 5th and 6th.

Elders Quorum Sponsored Pot Luck this Saturday

Just a reminder for everyone: This Saturday (September 21st) we will be having an Elders Quorum sponsored Pot Luck at 6 pm! We will be meeting in Knapp Ranch Park which is located on Kittridge St. Just west of Valley Circle. Please bring a dish to share, or just show up for the fun. We'd love to see everyone there.

Update on Sister Golberg

Hello Sisters,

Louise Golberg had a pacemaker put in on Saturday. Right now she does not have any strength in her legs so she is leaving West Hills Hospital and going to the same facility as her husband. The facility is West Hills Health and Rehab Center, 7940 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. She will probably be there for 2 weeks.

Sister Golberg is very motivated to get better and get her strength back. Cards, phone calls, prayers and visitors are welcome. 

A Glass of Milk, Paid in Full

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to

pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left,

and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next

house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman

opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he

looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.

He drank slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us

to never accept pay for a kindness."

He said, "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger

physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had

been ready to give up and quit.

Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local

doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where

they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he

heard the name of the town she cam from, a strange light filled his

eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital

to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized

her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined

to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special

attention to the case.

After a long Struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested

the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He

looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was

sent to her room.

She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of

her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught

her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the

following words: "Paid for with one glass of milk"

Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly

Recipe: Snickers Salad

Ingredients:
6 regular size Snickers candy bars
6 Granny Smith apples
1 (5oz) package vanilla pudding, do not prepare
1/2 cup milk
1 (12oz) tub Cool Whip
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping (optional)

Directions:
Whisk vanilla pudding packet, 1/2 cup milk and Cool Whip together until well combined. Chop up apples and Snickers and stir them into the pudding mixture. Place in a large bowl and drizzle caramel ice cream topping (optional). chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Tip of the Month

Freeze cookie dough. Try preparing a few batches of cookie dough at once and freezing the extra that you won't be baking that day. You can roll the dough in logs first before freezing (wrap the dough really well) and then just slice off and bake what you need whenever you crave freshly baked cookies.

Sunday Activity Ideas

Have a plan to help you kids learn to keep the
Sabbath day holy. Here are some activities
that can help you as a family attain this goal:
Act out stories from the scriptures
Visit friend.lds.org for activities
Look at family photos/videos
Visit an elderly member or neighbor
Memorize a scripture
Go on an 'alphabet walk' with family
Write letters to missionaries or family
Work on FHE assignments
Plan & perform a family talent show
Learn how to conduct/read music
Write in your journal
Draw or color a picture
Make up a story with siblings/parents
Make a calendar for upcoming week
Share what you have learned at church
Read a story from the friend
Write a thank-you note
Watch a Church movie
Write a letter to grandparents
Read & learn about a family ancestor
Read a general conference talk
Make some goals together
Have a picnic in the backyard
Play piano or other instruments
Have a family fireside
5 things I like about you game