bedpartner

i came in to see one of my patients early the other morning and asked her about how her night was. she is a sweet, little old lady who has been admitted too many times, this time for pneumonia. i asked her if she slept ok and she said -

no, i couldn't sleep well.

how come? breathing ok? coughing? were you hurting anywhere?

no, it's not that...

was it too loud out in the hallway? maybe we were waking you up to check vitals or for blood draws?

no...i think it's just because i miss my bedpartner. see, we've been married a long time and i'm so used to having him next to me when i go to bed, i guess i just can't fall asleep without him.

her husband was sitting next to her, he put down his newspaper, and put his hand on hers, and said --

yes, i miss her, too. i can't sleep well either. we've been married 46 years now, and i still can't sleep without her next to me. our dog misses her, too.

the simple, sweet things.
i love old couples.