"True Love is an Acceptance "
It was a busy morning, approximately 08:30 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 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 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 appointment 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 had 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 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 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
" True love is like an eternal flame...It will continue to burn for all eternity."
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