Wednesday
I don’t make a point of posting email I receive but this one, well, this one was different.
It was from my friend, Lynn.
While reading it, I couldn’t get my sister out of my head because she’s a nurse and has probably been in a situation very similar.
Though my mother and father’s story reads a bit differently, the sentiment is very much the same and my thoughts were of the both of them as well.
Thanks, Lynn.
This was a beauty. 
. . . 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 9:00am.
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 home to 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 it is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be and will not be . . .
Sometimes email can surprise you, huh?
The cat picture goes well with this.
gorgeous.
in moments like these i am reminded of why my career chose me.
and as life rushes past, i am reminded of just how lucky i am.
love & peace,
yvonne
p.s. ~m, you commented on my ‘blog earlier and your link takes viewers to a bandsite called badsneaker! i think you entered .com and you are .net …. please repair or replace if unintentional…
-proofreadin’ whyvonne
Oh how beautiful is that!
Jennifer
Beautiful. One of my great privileges was taking care of Pop in his final days. The day before he died I shaved him, gave him a bit of a sponge bath, brushed his teeth and hair. All while he was unconcious. That didn’t mean he shouldn’t look good.
Well, I would respectfully disagree with that. I think true love is very much those things, and more.
That, on the other hand, I wholeheartedly agree with. Very sweet, moving post.
-smith
Yes, very true and I wonder how many of us are capable of that. I am not sure that I am. Maybe if I find the right person I will be? Or perhaps I am just too selfish when it comes down to it. I’m not sure.
that’s a bit of a heartbreaker isn’t it…
Wow, another doozie for this sappy lass who now tears up at everything. Thanks so much for sharing, m.
That was a beautiful e-mail. My dad visited my mom for three years every single day and she never recognized him, but he never missed a day. My brother did too. My brother use to brush her teeth for her every night. I wasn’t as good as they were. I did visit her a lot but I found it so hard to watch her decline that it took all the nerve I had just to walk in the door. I couldn’t see her the way they did. I felt she was already gone and that I was just visiting her shell. If I could only go back in time.
m-
Glad you liked it….you are very welcome!
I do love the picture you chose. There is something peaceful about it.
The comment from joanharvest …..’if I could only go back in time’. All you do, m, is so worth every minute.
Wow, when you visited my blog I had no idea you were attached to Alzheimer’s! My full time job is in Hospice caring in home for Alzheimer’s patients. I also make art quilts and donate them to the Alzheimer’s research Fundraiser Ami Simms started in honor of her mom. info at- http://www.alzquilts.org/
From what I read on your blog today I would say you did a great job of holding up your end of keeping the pot holes filled on your parent’s paths.
This speaks loudly for your character in my book of rules to live by…. namaste!
If you ever venture to Portland Oregon, give me a heads up, the Marionberry cake is on me, so is the coffee
.-= Andee´s last blog ..In the sad news department… =-.