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 9:00 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. 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, 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 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." I had to hold back tears as
he left, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True
love is neither physical, nor romantic.


"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of
everything that comes along their way."