I had seen this old man.. I guess in his late 80s.. sitting on the same park bench every day as I walked Molly.. a sweetheart of a Burmese Mountain Dog. We always said a friendly "hello" to one another as Molly and I would stroll by him. Today.. since Molly was my last pet for the day.. decided to sit down on the bench with this gentleman. He said that he was in the mid stages of Alzheimers and that he sits out on this bench to attempt to remember every precious moment of his life. He was sadden by the fact that often times, he could not even remember his son's name or recognize his grandkids.
All of a sudden his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as he spoke of his late wife, who died 40 years earlier while giving birth. I could hear it in his voice as he would step back into a time his world was wonderful... complete. He went into great detail about her and their lives together. I was hearing his words and heart so intently, that I didn't see his grandson walk up from behind us and asked his grandpa if he was ready for lunch. The grandson introduced himself and I mentioned that his grandad was sharing stories with me about his wife. The boy looked puzzled so I repeated some of the things that was told to me and then he smiled real big. He said grandpa cannot remember what he did 2 hours prior but it seemed that his wife is so deep into his mind, heart and soul... that she will not let him forget her.
Isn't that awesome? To have such a love that will not give up on you... no matter what? I know she is watching over him now.. waiting for the time that she will greet him once again.. and that glow in his eyes when he sees her.. will be as it was today on the bench. THAT is love.
Trish