It was a busy morning, approximately
8:30 am, when an elderly Gentleman, in
his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his
thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an
appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and
had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour
before someone would to able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I
was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate
his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to
one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove
his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in
conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's
appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the
nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired as to her health. He told me that
she had been there for a while and that she was a
victim of Alzheimer Disease.
As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I
asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that
she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him. "And you still go
every morning, even though she doesn't know who you
are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She
doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps
on my arms, and thought, "That is the kind of
love I want in my life."
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True
love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will
be, and will not be.
Good friends are like stars..You don't always see
them, but you always know they're there.
Acceptance - it's an agape love.
Society's "tolerance" is such a poor substitute.
Looks like the rain won't be letting up any time soon:
http://www.weather.com/weather/map/USTX0001?name=southcentralussatellite_large_animated&day=1&par=yahoo&site=www.yahoo.com&promo=img
Loddy, that is so true. Thanks for that story.