"It is strange how much a man can expect of a woman and what she is prepared to change about herself if she loves him and values his views; and vice versa.
When I first met Sheila in November 2010, she had experienced a rough four years since becoming widowed and her physical appearance reflected this. She had shorn her hair to a fiercesomely short length, as if to indicate, 'Don't bother looking at me because I'm off the market, mate!'
It wasn't too long after first meeting that we realised we were right for each other, and for the following two years until we married in November, 2012, we floated on cloud nine; a spot in the heavens that only two people who are deeply in love with each other are allowed emotional entry.
During this period, since we met, knowing that I have always liked long hair, Sheila grew hers back. Her increased happiness was apparent in the beauty of her looks that shone through once more, as they had done previously during happier phases of her life. With the passing of each day her radiance within smiled through her face and she actually grew more beautiful the happier she became.
My happiness was reflected somewhat differently than Sheila's was. Unfortunately, I put a stone in weight on, and my physical looks showed no improvement. Considering myself to having achieved everything emotionally possible I ever wanted out of life, I found myself physically needing less. Where my real happiness has served its purpose has been in relation to how quickly I have positively adapted to having a terminal blood cancer and no effective immune system, plus all the attendant inconveniences such a condition brings with it.
In short, before I learned of my terminal blood cancer shortly after our wedding, I had become the person that Sheila had helped me become. I had always been happy in disposition and positive in attitude all my life, but after meeting, falling in love with and marrying Sheila, I have been happier than I have ever been. Where my love for Sheila has shown in my body, is that despite receiving news of having a terminal blood cancer, 'I remain happier than I have ever been'. Sheila has effectively, through loving me and being daily present in my life, both 'made me happier and kept me happier!'
What further proof does anyone require to know that 'loving another' brings out one's beauty and strength in ways that often seem hard to believe." William Forde: April 2nd, 2018.