'...but I still know who she is.'

Here's a love story of an old man:

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 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. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everythingthey have. ‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Woohoo~~~

Dear Diary,

Chinese New Year has just ended today with the 15th Lunar Day. Woohoo~~~~ Welcoming the new Year of the Tiger with a loud roar. 

Day 1
14.02.2010, the new year falls on the same day as the Valentine's Day this year... Celebrating both festivities with family at a relative's home. Every year without missed, there will be a steamboat enough to feed the mouths of 20-30 ppl. So every hour of the day is about eating, eating and more eating... Within a few hours, the stomach is already as hard as overcooked jelly. After all the hard work of eating, i laid flat on a sofa with the rest of the family while enjoying the cny telecast on tv. Ah~~~ the joy of sitting around doing nothing...

Day 2
He reached here from his hometown. Mamak on second day of cny was the only choice we had for eating out. Most of the chinese cafeterias and hawker food stalls were not opened. At home, we watched a valentine's special movie on tv. They arranged 4 complete strangers to form two separate couples. It was one of the funniest moment when one of the couples; a thin tall man ended up being with a short big sized woman. They have to prove their love in front of their in-laws. At night we were playing cards at my aunt's. 

Day 3
We met with our photographer. Yes... another free outdoor photo shoot for couples! We had to plan the theme, the dress code, the types of emotions, all in advance... 
That night, I had a reunion with my ex-high schoolmates. It's an all-girls gathering.. But I brought him along... I loved how he blend in with my friends, sitting there patiently as I chatted with all of them. Deep down inside, I was really proud of introducing him there.

Day 4
Our photoshoot is TODAY!!! ...and we hadn't packed our attires. We slept in late after clubbing the night before. We were looking like two half-dead zombies walking around. To our surprise, the photoshoot location was exactly beside a large drain... No wonder it's free... *sigh*
By the time we reached home it was night time, thanks to the massive bumper to bumper car jam.. We decided to walk all the way to Kek Lok Si temple soon after. WALKING there was not a brilliant idea especially when you have had a long day before you... We were limping back and stopping at each bus stop for a seat on our way back. 

Day 5
Visiting from house to house with coursemates... We then took a bus to KL together. As soon as we reached KL-Puduraya, we dropped our bag at the luggage centre, then off we go to Petaling streets for dinner and some shopping.

Day 6
Movie's day with his parents. We booked tickets for four at Timesquare GSC cineplex for '72 tenants'. The movie was hilarious but there was not much storyline. We had KFC for lunch before we continue on our shopping spree. His mother cooks great tasting soups, which we could never have enough. We went to Isaac's house for another gambling session.

Day 7
We had attended two reunions on this day. One was with his civil engineering coursemates at Shogun, 1 Utama. Japanese buffet with many selections of food to choose from. I personally love the cheese baked snails. We had a very heavy dinner too with his KL friends, during the second reunion gathering. Again, we were having 'maths classes' in Rachel's house. It was a fun activity especially when it involves cards and mahjung.

Day 8
We woke up to have an early breakfast at the market near his house. I felt sad as it was about time for me to bid farewell to him and my holiday... I cried on the bus, seeing him going off. I'm sure I am going to miss him... AGAIN... 

Love Jo.