It was a busy morning, approximately 8:00 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80's, showed up 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 looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
Upon examination 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 why he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health.
He then began telling me about all the years he and his wife had spent together. And of all the good and bad times they shared.
And through it all they stood side by side and made it through over 45 years of life together.
He sounded like he and his wife had lived a fairy tale life. The kind we all would love to have, myself included.
He told me that she had been in the nursing home for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimers Disease.
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, 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 with a wink of his eye said "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
At that very moment I felt a chill run down my spine. As I thought to myself they have the love that lasts a lifetime.
Trying as hard as ever to hold back tears. As I looked at this man who loved his wife unconditionally and completely.
You would not be able to tell just by looking at him that his whole world had been turned upside down with his wifes terrible disease. Yet he still went to be with her on a daily basis as he vowed he would years before.
You could tell however that he was just thankful for every moment he got to spend with her even if she didnt know who he was.
When I finished with him so that he could be on his way. I watched him as he left the office that day. He left me in total amazement and thinking to myself.
"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.
