Tracieisland

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

This was sent to me today.....

How to Dance in the Rain

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'sappointment 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. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that there are, sometimes theres one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.'Life isn't about how to survive the storm..... but how to dance in the rain.'

3 Comments:

At 8:15 PM, Blogger Helen said...

Ah that's lovely Tracie, It makes me think of when I worked with the elderly and nursed patients with Alzheimers, faithfully every day their loved ones would come and just sit and speak words of love and gently comb their hair without any response, it used to make me quite emotional (I know that's not hard!) but that is true love, unconditional and amazing.

(lovely to chat the other day, it made me feel better!)

 
At 6:07 AM, Blogger Mountain Mama said...

Tnis is a beautiful story. My own mother had Alzheimer's and I know how difficult it is when they are not responsive.
But as the story tells, Love goes far beyond all the miseries of Alzheimers.

 
At 12:29 PM, Blogger Merle said...

Dear Tracie ~~ Thanks for your comments and the story is so nice, it is good to be on more than one blog. Glad you enjoyed the jokes. Take care, Love, Merle.

 

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