Those of you who have been reading my columns over the last 11 years have heard me refer to "my beautiful wife, Lorraine." We have been pictured many times in many places. This is a tribute to her.

Last week, Lorraine was given a 30-year recognition award by her employer, The Visiting Nurse Service of New York. At present she is the manager of Rehabilitation Services for Nassau County. At the main headquarters on 70th Street and Park Avenue, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, she was awarded a huge Tiffany Bowl in honor of her services over the last 30 years.

Prior to the year 2000, when Lorraine became the manager in Nassau, she was the rehabilitation manager for the borough of Queens for close to 16 years after working the field.

At the award ceremony, her kindness and good works were enumerated by the many accomplished leaders of VNSNY. She was commended for solving problems gently with little or no fuss. Her smiling face and benevolent disposition has turned many a grumpy person into an understanding fan of her organization.

"We Bring the Caring Home" is the motto of this wonderful organization. VNSNY will enter the home of the bedridden and homebound with nurses to give injections, take out stitches, wound care, as well as provide Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Social Work.

As an observer (and husband), I state surely these are the most caring health professionals I have ever been acquainted with. The patient comes first. The people are extraordinary.

I met Lorraine Meyerovitch 45 years ago. She has not aged one bit since then. She is still the kind and gentle little girl who is trying to do good works. She has maintained her smiling disposition and overall gentleness, in spite of me.

Lorraine also leads an Alzheimers' Caregivers Group in Queens giving guidance and support to the wives, husbands and adult children of Alzheimer's victims.

As she stood on the stage, I was proud of this wife, mother of three, grandmother of five, who looked like a young girl receiving her high school diploma. I am proud to be her husband.