Enjoyment Not Denial.

Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillaume_Cornelis_van_Beverloo

Got this wonderful comment today from Stephany @ Soulful Sepulcher


http://bipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com/

It is a very moving comment, so much so that as soon as I started reading it I cried.

Tears splattered my glasses. so that I could hardly read the text at all, had to stop and very carefully try to dab my eyes.

Responding became difficult I was peering around the splashes and smears on my glasses.

Am posting Stephany’s comment here as I found it a fine comment which I want to share.

‘’Hi Herrad,

I think women, as strong and spirited, interesting, funny and smart (YOU)still, though confident, have a small part of wanting to be accepted for who they are in physical appearance, especially, when it changes.

Our appearance changes with all years of our lives.

We change, but not always from illness. Our bodies evolve over time, and I know for a fact your smile and sparkle in your eyes are the same as when you and Richie first met.

Take a look at the photos, and what we see is a real, genuine human being, and a woman who with great pride is sharing with the world, the deep loss she feels.

Don't forget, you are you, no matter what. Richie only sees you. Sure, the daily grind is gruelling for both of you, but you know his heart is aligned with yours.

Both of you are to be admired.

I always want you to know I feel privileged to know you, even if through this format. I will mourn losing you. Find solace in the fact, you have friends that will rally around Richie; I think you may worry about that. And I'm not afraid to talk about the inevitable, because you talk about it. That's the gift you're giving us. And on that note, I hope to be here writing to you for many, many more years. :)

HUGS

love and hugs

Stephany’’

She is right, despite; the MS, my age and my spinal sclerosis I still want to be the woman I was physically before the MS hit me so hard.

Still look at the pictures of Richie and me in 2001 in our shower room wall, I was 50 then, wish that I could look like that now.

Do not mind that the passing of time, nine years should show, just do not like to see the signs of the MS and my distorted spine showing so clearly.

My spinal distortion has become worse due to having to lie in bed for so long, that progression was inevitable due to my loss of muscles in my torso.

Nevertheless it is still another blow to my pride and my vanity, especially since I took a lot of care in my appearance.

Always had smart black or charcoal coloured well cut trousers for work, teamed up with sharps tops and in cooler weather smart zipped tops and in cold weather my favourite voluminous black mohair cardigan.

The cardigan was shaped like a dress with long sleeves and when zipped up it had a high collar which looked rather cute on me.

Sadly I can no longer wear it as there is too much material which would just become too lumpy behind my back as it could not be pulled down far enough sitting in the wheelchair.

Gave it to our neighbour Willes who wore it all through the winter and right into spring, she looked magnificent in it.

Have given away several items of clothing that I used to enjoy wearing, think now that there were some that I denied myself unnecessarily.

Oh well now I am aware of my tendency to deny myself, that will not happen again, do not think that denial is my best option right now.

I think that right now I should be enjoying my life and my precious time, my intention now is to make the best of everything.

With Richie here to encourage me and the support of friends I am sure that I will succeed and have a good summer.