What is love...
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30am, 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 appoinment at 9:00am. 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 repeatedly at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On examination, it was well-healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his stitches and redressed his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had an important appoinment that morning, as he seemed to be in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he only 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 has been there for a while already and that she was a victim of Alzheimer 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 for five years now. I was surprised, and ask him. "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my head 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, 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.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything that comes along their way.
touching... sob sob
Posted by: Zhe Jin | June 20, 2006 05:53 PM
Nah... Tissue. =P
Posted by: Seok Kheng | June 20, 2006 10:55 PM