Man with Alzheimer’s Demonstrates that “Love Can Become An Instinct”

Blaise Pascal once wrote that, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.” It’s not a stretch to apply his words to the story of a senior citizen named Melvyn Amrine and his wife of sixty years, Doris.

Melvyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago, and it’s been hard for Doris to watch the dieases take hold. Melvyn can’t remember their engagement very well, and he generally needs assistance walking outside, but a recent event made Doris realize that Melvyn is still the man she has always known.

The story is a testament to the fact that long-standing habits born of love for another can stay with us, and that this love becomes the deepest part of us, almost instinctual.