It was a busy morning, about 8:30 , when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said 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, 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, '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.
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, '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.
Thanks for stopping by, and may you be blessed with something pleasant in your life journey today!
7 comments:
Good day Monica~ everytime I visit, it feels like a trip in the woods. Just love this new look!
This is a good story...something to think about. Happy Spring...let's hope it lasts.
Thank you. Few things bring tears to my eyes anymore, having been there, done that but this post most certainly did. What a wonderful love and how beautiful the quote. Thank you so very much; sometimes it's good to shed tears.
Talk about putting a lump in my throat! That is so moving and very true! Thank you for sharing it today!
Thanks,I have read this before but as you said it is worth reading again, it really hits home since my Dear Brother has Parkinson and is slowly getting dementia, he may someday forget who I am, but I'll always know who he is.
I had not ever seen this before. Thanks for posting it.
Hugs,
Angela
I have seen that before, and it is one of my faves. We should all be so blessed to find that kind of love...
Enjoy your day!
Thanks for posting that. I hadn't seen it before. I lost my grandfather to Ahlzeimers. It is so horrible to have the people you love not know you. I hope that before my hubby and I get to 90 they'll have it figured out.
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