This is What Love is All About...

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 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.

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