Many elderly couples deal with the heartbreaking effects of Alzheimer’s disease, which causes one’s memories to fade away. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean their love has to fade away too…
One couple’s story went viral after a frightening incident transformed into the most beautiful reminder of this.
Arkansas resident, Doris Amrine, had been married to the love of her life, Melvyn, for nearly 60 years. But sadly, he began to lose his memory because of Alzheimer’s.
For three years, Doris painfully watched Melvyn become more forgetful about their past – something that was difficult for both of them to go through. Then came a day where a terrible nightmare became their reality.
On the eve of Mother’s Day, Melvyn went missing.
According to CBS News, the man typically needed assistance just to stroll around their block. Understandably, this must have made it very scary that he was nowhere to be found.
Doris phoned the Little Rock Police Department approximately 40 minutes after her husband disappeared, prompting officers to go on a search for Melvyn.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the cops to find Melvyn. They discovered him in a shopping complex about two miles from the couple’s home.
Officer Troy Dillard and Sgt. Brian Grigsby approached the confused man, but soon realized there was a specific reason why he was out there.
Although Melvyn didn’t remember simple information like where he lived – he told the officers he was set on one thing: getting his wife flowers.
Every year since their first child was born, he’d gotten his wife flowers on Mother’s Day, and was determined to keep the tradition alive.
Sgt. Grigsby explained to CBS:
“He wasn’t going home until he got those flowers. That’s what he wanted. He wanted flowers for his wife, because tomorrow was Mother’s Day.”
The kind officers decided that the right thing to do was help Melvyn get flowers for Doris.
So, after reporting that they were on their way home with the lost man, they made a quick stop at the supermarket.
Officer Dillard and Sgt. Grigsby accompanied Melvyn into the store to pick out Mother’s Day flowers. In the end, he chose a bouquet of gorgeous white roses.
When the trio got to the register the police went up and beyond again. As it turns out, Melvyn didn’t have enough money, so Dillard passed some cash to the clerk.
Seeing her husband Melvyn with flowers in his hands was a moment that Doris will never forget. Despite the fact that his memory was fading – he was still very much full of love.
“As he came up those steps, and I saw those roses and the smile on his face, I just broke inside. I just said, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ Because I saw his heart.”
She also told CBS News::
“It’s special, because even though the mind doesn’t remember everything, the heart remembers.”
It’s a story that’s leaving a lump in people’s throats all across the internet. One person shared on the news station’s YouTube channel:
“What a love story. My Dad has dementia and its a horrible disease. God Bless the officers that had such patience and cared for this “lost” man for bringing him home to his love.”
Another person commented:
“True love! Absolutely adorable couple! My eyes are leaking now :’)”
Watch the video below to see the full story for yourself. It contains the perfect mixture of love and kindness.
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