A church pastor went to a hospital to visit
a man from his congregation who was gravely ill. When he entered the room, he
found several family members were also there. The patient had a breathing tube
in his throat so was unable to speak. He beckoned the minister to his bedside
and motioned for a pencil and paper. He scribbled a note on the paper, handed
it to the preacher and immediately expired. In the confusion that followed, the
pastor, who was busy consoling the family, put the note in his suit pocket and
forgot about it. Some days later, he was officiating at the funeral and was
wearing the same suit. During the eulogy he happened to put his hand in his
pocket and brought out the forgotten note. Stopping in mid-sentence he held up
the note and said to the crowd, "Folks, I have here Charlie's last words
on earth." He told them of the scene in the hospital room and said,
"I had forgotten about this note until this very moment. Let's see what
Charlie's message was as he departed from this world." Opening the note he
read,"YOU"RE STANDING ON MY OXYGEN HOSE!"
