It was about 8:30 AM on a busy morning when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00. I took his vital signs and had him to 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. After examining him, I could see the wound was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his stitches, and redressed his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to talk. I asked if he had a doctor's appointment this morning as he was in such a hurry.
He told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired about her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's.
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. He continued saying that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised and questioned him, "And you are still going every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and answered, "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's 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.
~Author Unknown~
He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00. I took his vital signs and had him to 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. After examining him, I could see the wound was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his stitches, and redressed his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to talk. I asked if he had a doctor's appointment this morning as he was in such a hurry.
He told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I then inquired about her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's.
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. He continued saying that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised and questioned him, "And you are still going every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and answered, "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's 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.
~Author Unknown~
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