It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80s came in to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry, as he had another appointment at 9 a.m.
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 that, since I wasn’t busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
After seeing it had healed well, I talked to one of the doctors, got the necessary supplies to remove his sutures, and redressed his wound.
I asked him if he had a doctor’s appointment this morning somewhere else, 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 about her health. He told me that she had been there for a while, and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. As I finished dressing his wound, I asked him if she would be worried about him being late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years.
“And you are still going every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?” I asked in surprise. 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 my tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm. I 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 always be. No matter what the situation is, true love remains.
True love is forever, faithful, and loyal.
Please SHARE if you were deeply touched by this story — and if there are those in your life who exhibit and exemplify graceful, eternal love.
