I still know who she is

[Tink]

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s
arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a
hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00.

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 examining it I saw it was well healed, so I
talked to one of the doctors and 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! As she is 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.' 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'.

[DianaB]

That is so touching. I hope that my husband is like that when I lose my mind! Hmmmm............You know...........he's already really nice to me.................do you suppose that he already considers that I've lost my mind?

[Janet]

That was wonderful Tink! I've read that before, but it always makes my heart skip a little bit. I wish for that love and passion so much. Oh well....my life isn't over yet.

Diana...do you want me to comment???? ....LOL

[DianaB]

I don't think so!!!!

[HALEY]

ok all teary eyed again.. hopefully one day, i will have love like that again.. still working on it.....
oh what the heck my son will always love me anyways... he he..... He better!!!!!!

[celstu1]

My whole life my grandparents fought sooo bad. They are catholic though and will never divorce. They are now turning 77 years old and my grandmother is starting to get alzheimers. My grandfather is great to her. Its the first time in their whole marriage that they no longer fight anymore. Its kind of sweet in a bittersweet way. He takes her out everyday for coffee and to meet friends, he says he won't let her stay home or stay in bed because he wants to keep her mind active and keep her around people she knows and loves so she hopefully remembers them all for longer. Its so sweet!