It was about 8:30 a.m. 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 doing so, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. She had been there for a while for Alzheimer's Disease. I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she had not recognized him in five years. I was surprised and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?”
He smiled and patted my hand and said “she doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” I had to hold tears back 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 the acceptance of all that is, has been, will be and will never be. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.
Acceptance of all that is going on around us, all that is happening – does not matter if it is good, bad or even downright ugly – is such a great virtue to possess.
It has a uniquely calming influence. Also gives you an immense amount of courage and wisdom that then helps to convert the situation into a winning one for you.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!