Joseph S. Fisher, 32°
4645 Bedford Court, Boulder, Colorado 80301–4017

A charming story accents the duty to pass our Masonic vision on to others.

I'd like to share a story passed on to me a year or two ago. Perhaps, you have not heard it before.

Two elderly Masons, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One Brother was supposed 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 Mason had to spend all his time flat on his back. The two Brothers shared with each other for hours on end. Each knew nearly everything about the other's wife, family, home, job, military service, travels, and Masonic career.

Every afternoon, when the Mason by the window would sit up, he'd pass the time by sharing with his roommate all the things he saw outside the only window. The Mason in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his narrow environment would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world.

The Brother by the window would describe how the window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans swam while children sailed model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and there was a fine view of the city skyline beyond, with snow-capped mountains in the distant horizon. As the Mason by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the Mason in the other bed would close his eyes and imagine these picturesque scenes.

One warm afternoon, the Mason by the window described a parade of 76 trombones passing by. Each member of the band and those marching with it wore a color-decorated or white apron. It was a Masonic band. His roommate couldn't hear the band because the window was shut, but he could envision it in his mind as it was portrayed to him by the other Mason.

Days passed quickly with these descriptions. One morning, the day nurse arrived to give the men their baths, only to find the lifeless body of the Mason by the window. He had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take his body downstairs to a holding room where the funeral director could receive the departed Brother. When it seemed appropriate, the remaining patient asked the nurse if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch for him, and, after assuring his comfort, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, and against doctor's orders, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look in a long, long time at the world outside. He'd have the joy to see this wonderful world for himself. He strained to lift himself up, but just couldn't make it. He rang for the nurse. When she entered the room, he asked if she'd raise his bed just a bit so that he could gaze for a moment at the beautiful world outside the window.

The nurse replied, "I can do that for you, but there's nothing to see out there but that blank brick wall!"

The astounded Mason said, "But my roommate described such wonderful scenes outside this window!"

The nurse responded, "I'm not sure to whom you're referring. Your roommate was totally blind. He couldn't even see the wall!"

Just as shared grief is halved, shared happiness is doubled—and more! You're rich when you just count all the things you see, even in your mind's eye. Today is a gift from our Supreme Architect. Use and enjoy it! Share the joy of our Fraternity and leave a vision of tomorrow for the Brothers who will follow. While being the best Freemason you can be, also be a dreamer and visionary to others.