Rain
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived 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.
He said no, he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health.
He told me 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 she no longer knew who he was, 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.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
5 comments:
Hi Patty,
I hadn't read this before, it is new to me. And the message is wonderful,
it seems we live in a throw away age, where, if it is old or outdated, throw it away. But not so with our family and friends, they should never be considered old or outdated. But, just as this man showed, they should be appreciated and loved.
I have seen it before but it is so worth repeating. Beautiful.
Just beautiful, Patty!
If only all people loved so deeply?!
Dear Patty ~~ Always worth a re-run as it's a beautiful story. Thank you for reminding us of it. It was great to see Jeanette and Pauline for a cuppa and catch up.Was your eye taped after the cataract? Jen's eye was taped for three days, but it's fine now. I hadn't heard of that before. John arrived safely Monday
so I was glad to see him back.
We have had a little rain the last couple of nights. Take care, my
friend. Love, Merle.
loved it. got tears in my eyes.
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