Fred was in the hospital, near death; his family and friends were
standing around the bed. As they stood there, Fred’s frail condition
grew worse, and he motioned frantically for something to write on. One
of the friends lovingly handed him a pen and a piece of paper, and
Fred used his last ounce of strength to scribble a note. Then he died.
The friend thought it best not to look at the note just then, so he
slipped it into his jacket pocket. Several days later, at the funeral,
he realised that he was wearing the same jacket that he’d worn the day
Fred died. “You know,” he told another friend, “Fred handed me a note
just before he died. I haven’t read it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure
there’s a word of inspiration there for us all.” He unfolded the note
and read aloud, “You’re standing on my oxygen tube!”