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 9:00am.
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 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 had
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."
True love is neither
physical, nor romantic.
True love is acceptance of
All that is, has been, will
be and will not be.
I think that’s how we are
all meant to love each
other!
That was just a touching anecdote. Your patient clearly set the bar for anyone who ever dares to speak the words, "I love you."
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Leland
Thank you, it does indeed set the bar high.
ReplyDeleteI want to be loved like that....
ReplyDeleteI think I finally am loved like that and I have loved many a friend and mentor like that. It matters and it's all part of my evil plot
ReplyDelete