It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly
gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed
from his thumb.
He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it
would be over an hour before someone would be 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, I asked him if he had
another 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 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, '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.
