Monday, October 31, 2005
Monday, October 31, 2005
THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT:It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman inhis 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated thathe 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 beforesomeone 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 told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing hometo 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 victimof Alzheimer Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, Iasked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she nolonger 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 holdback 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.
Peace is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank.The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;they just make the best of everything that comes along their way."
