Marriage is an institution that most people appreciate. Of course, there are going to be problems in any marriage and I don’t think I know anyone who would deny that fact. The real key is to know what to do in order to keep the marriage going, even when those difficulties arise. In the following fictional story, a man was visiting his sick wife and the nurse wanted to know why he continued to show up day after day. What he replied to the nurse is sure to bring you to tears.
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he hod an appointment at 9:00 am.
The nurse took his vital signs and told him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would 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, 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 inquired as to her health. He told me that 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 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.’
