Alzheimer’s caregivers exemplify true love

Religion

Discussion

August 29, 2008

Anonymous The Jacksonville Daily Progress Fri Aug 29, 2008, 10:32 AM CDT

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

A dear friend sent me this beautiful story. With the prevalence of Alzheimer’s these days, there are so many loving husbands and wives caring for their loved ones who do not even know who they are. If you have loved ones who have been affected by Alzheimer’s, you know how it is. This story helps us realize what you are going through, and the beauty of true love.

• • •

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9 a.m.

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.

We attended the funeral of one of my favorite aunts a few months ago. She had always been one of the most loving, caring and fun people to be around I had ever known. Several years ago she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The last few times we saw her, she did not know who we were, but she knew that she loved us and we loved her. She would hug us and kiss us just as she always had. She had lost her ability to recognize us, but not her ability to love us. I know all cases aren’t that way, but hers was, and she was a beautiful lesson in love. I look forward to seeing her in heaven, where she will remember all our names, and where we will all experience the truest love of all — the love of Jesus Christ.

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

Contact Dr. Sam Smith, Butterfly Ministry, at ssmithkate@aol.com

Text Only

Religion

Where to look in the Bible when we are in danger
When we are in danger, read Psalm 91. Verses 9-13 tell us some of the ways the Lord protects us, “If you say, ‘The LORD is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”

October 20, 2011
Prayer request challenge extended
Grace Beal of Cuney drops her prayer request in her church’s prayer request box. She has extended her challenge for prayer requests. The minister of the New Testament Holiness Church at 160 CR 3510 has been holding open air services each night at the church. The services are held at 6:30 p.m. Beal said people should “believe God. He is the one who will answer prayers.” People may drop prayer requests in the box in front of the church.

October 20, 2011 1 Photo
What would you ask of God?
If God spoke to you and told you could ask Him for one thing and He would grant it, what would you ask for? Before you read any further, take some time to think about that question. If the Creator of all there is offered to grant you one request, what would you consider the ultimate gift from Almighty God?

July 7, 2011
Perry’s prayer plan should be supported
I am so tired of being worried, upset and depressed about the future of our nation. There has to be hope somewhere.

July 7, 2011
Church News for July 8, 2011
Get your church or religious organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content.

July 7, 2011
It’s not Ozzie and Harriet anymore
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”
(Proverbs 4:23)

June 30, 2011
It all belongs to the Lord
“To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”
(Deuteronomy 10:14)

June 23, 2011
Church News for June 24, 2011
Get your church or religious organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content.

June 23, 2011
Listening for that trumpet call
I was awakened recently by a loud blast that sounded like a horn blowing. Guess what my first thought was. Yep, I wondered, “Is this it? Is that the trumpet call?”

June 16, 2011
Church News for June 17, 2011
Get your church or religious organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content.

June 16, 2011
More Religion Headlines

Religion

Search Results

Discussion

Alzheimer’s caregivers exemplify true love

Site Map

Contact Us