SOMETHING REALLY NICE

AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said 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, 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 hometo eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was 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. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message.. This one I thought I could share with you. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, But how to dance in the rain.' We are all getting Older Tomorrow may be our turn. My mother died from the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease. She disappeared before our eyes. She was no longer was the beautiful, vibrant, cheerful, contented woman we'd known all our lives. She didn't know who we were, but, as the author of this story, we knew who she was! She was the only one of all her siblings who graduated from college. She not only taught Bridge classes, but doubles--whatever that means. None of us girls ever learned how to play because we knew she'd always beat us. She is the one who remembered Algebra, and taught the kids. I think she was the original "Dummies for How to Learn....anything..." She used to sew and crochet. She made a whole wardrobe for my daughter's Barbie dolls. She made all the Christmas stockings. I still have the tree skirt she made for me years ago. It is a treasured item in my home. She did macramé. She cooked and cleaned. The only thing she couldn't do was sing, but she could dance and play cards. She made everyone feel at home in her home. She didn't have a prejudiced bone in her body. She was from a small town in KS, and she always remembered her roots. She followed her Air Force love of her life around the world, and missed him terribly when he went to Viet Nam and couldn't go. She loved meeting new folks at the different assignments. She would enter contests, and we'd reap the benefits. (The Oldsmobile was the BEST prize she won!) We loved 'Impy', the Cocker Spaniel, that she won. Her family was her pride and joy! I miss my mom. I wish I could have another day or two with her. If your mom is still with you, call her and tell her you love her. It might just make her day. If she isn't, think about her today, and remember her with love.