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 everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
   
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.
   
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.  Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
   
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
   
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There! Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two; his food was served in a wooden bowl!
   
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food!
   
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"
   
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama  to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
   
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
   
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the  tablecloth soiled.
   
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
   
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
   
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when  they are gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a life...
   
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
   
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
   
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
   
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,  I usually make the right decision.
   
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
   
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
   
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
   
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!
   
Angels have walked beside me all my life--and they still do.