It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., 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 another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a
hurry. The gentleman tol d 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's disease.
As we talked, I asked
if she would be upset 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 arm, 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.
That is the kind of love I want in my life
