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Sunday July 5, 2009

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How To Dance In The Rain

Posted by: Walter Williams | 16 December, 2008 - 2:40 PM
hands

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 be able to see him. I saw him looking at this 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, 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 Alzheimers 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 recognised 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 not will be.

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.

Blog comments Your Say

  • What a wonderful marriage this man must have had with his wife, and what a beautiful person he must be I can only hope that they share many more years.
    This typifies how love and respect for one another can make the world a better place, I hope they had children that share his attitude

    Gayle Thursday 8 January, 2009 - 8:34 AM

  • I read this while eating my brekkie (no golf today, just a BBQ with friends later) and realised where my head should be every day. I too had a tear in my eye! We wake up sometimes with our head in the wrong zone, never recover and the day gets worse cos of the gutter course you took earlier in the day. Won't it be great to recognize everyone, say hi and/or just smile without someone thinking "what behind the smile, what do they want etc., Enjoy every moment 'cos the moment here Make a difference just don't think about it I attempted to encourage people to take time out but sometimes i forget about my time! Like Jenny Walmsley, lets start loving the simple things in life and learn to laugh again!!

    Mike Hutchinson Sunday 21 December, 2008 - 8:38 AM

  • After reading this I also had tears in my eyes. I feel people today worry to much on what they own and they have to have the best and lastest of everthing on the market. What happened to the simple things, like being together as a family and having a laugh together. My children have grown up and moved out. We still love going on picnics and playing cricket,soccer and fishing together. These activities don't cost anything but we all have a great day. Lets start loving the simple things in life and learn to laugh again.

    Jenny Walmsley Wednesday 17 December, 2008 - 11:53 AM

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