I haven't felt like blogging lately. I check in on some of you but I've been adjusting to my new schedule and enjoying my family time. As I sit here days away from what we will be forever called our "Family Day" I have so much to be thankful for. I had an epiphany while driving back from Ohio a couple of weeks ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I'll share later. But in the mean time I wanted to share this beautiful story with you that someone shared with me. I have a neighbor who we fondly call "Papa Jack" who reminds me of the man in this story. He and his wife (both very active and such an attractive couple) are the cutest and sweetest couple I've ever met. He is a retiree who had one of those "big" positions with a big fat title. Traveled the world...still does. But he's so not that. Lorraine who has had to have knee and a hip replacement surgery always manages to have a smile on her face. And if you ask her how she is doing you will never hear her utter a negative word! Papa Jack is so attentive o her needs. But he is a pistol and my girls adore him. If he is out playing golf with his buddies (which is often I hear) and sees the girls out walking he will stop his game and come over to see the little ones. He has to or else the girls continue to chant "Papa Jack, Papa Jack". Not good for the swing. Insert: big grin. And Katie who has always been more cautious with strangers will barge right in to their home to see Grandma Lorraine. They both have a way about them. So natural. So loving. I hope to have what they have someday. Their sincere tenderness for one another is touching. I really admire their relationship.
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 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.