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How
to Dance in the Rain
It was a busy morning in the emergency room of the neighborhood
hospital. Around 8:30 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 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 and goose bumps popped up on my arm,
and thought, that's 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 and will be. With
all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one thing
that comes along and presents an important message. This story is worthy
of sharing.
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.
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