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, 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.