The Language of Love

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The Language of Love


It was a quiet Friday at the hospital. With most patients away celebrating the festival, I too was eager to finish my work and head home. There is a certain joy in relaxing at home, sometimes that’s a celebration to me. 

The next patient I saw was an elderly lady who was accompanied by a middle-aged man. With her first step inside my room, she locked eyes with me. She always accompanied her husband, who was the patient. They have been with me for a decade. However, he wasn’t with her this time and I wondered why he hadn’t come. 

As she entered inside I was unsure whether she should be steered towards the patient or the bystander chair. She did not give me time and headed straight to the patient chair. 

I have a standard practice of asking how my old patients are doing when I see them. But this time, she beat me to it and asked me “How are you”? I responded by saying that I was very well and thanked her for asking. Upon hearing this she held my hands and there was a sense of warmth that transcended words. There was love, gratitude and a hint of sadness in her touch. 

I held her hand tightly with my other hand and we shared a moment. 

Words fell short but they would have been superfluous if spoken. 

The man by her side said that they were leaving for Canada the next day and she had come to express her gratitude for taking care of her husband over the years. 

In a world full of chaos, love remains that one constant that unites us all. The beauty of that emotion lies in the fact that it need not be spoken. Its language has no boundaries, it lies in the simple connections that bring people closer together. 

Embracing the language of love allows one to be guided on their life’s journey. My patient was the best example. She had found a way to connect without words. 

The language of love varies between individuals. It could be tight embraces to a gentle touch, a smile or a shared laughter, endless words or silent dialogues, physical fighting or unwavering emotional support. 

She stood up to leave. I walked her to the door and they left. As I turned back, I felt an immense sense of happiness and peace. 

During our brief encounter, I realised that the language of love despite its complexities possesses a remarkable simplicity. 

Also, love in its purest form, needs no words, it speaks for itself.

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