TRUE LOVE

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., 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 look 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 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' 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.

---Author Unknown



From the Maryland Laryngectomee club