Very touching story...

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly
gentleman, in his 80's, came in to have sutures (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.

Upon exam, I saw that 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 awhile 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 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 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.