A long time ago, when I was in college, one of the little jobs I did to make a few extra bucks was sitting with an elderly lady who had Alzheimer’s disease. My boyfriend at the time (later my husband) worked for the woman’s husband watering his plants at the nursery he owned on his farm, and while they were working, I sat with the lady, whose name was Dot. Dot was a sweetheart and she didn’t know who her husband was, although she was at ease with him and knew that he was someone important to her. However, her husband never forgot who Dot was. He was always so happy to see her and called her “My girl.” Her face would just light up when he said that. I could tell that although she may not know his name all the time, she knew him in a different way. Enjoy the sweet story below.
Nurse: “It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80’s, presented 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 (nurse) 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 a doctor’s appointment this morning somewhere else, 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 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 are still going 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 my tears as he left, I had goosebumps 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 always be. No matter what the situation is, true love remains.
TRUE LOVE is forever, faithful & loyal.
Image: Pixabay, Pexels
