When I first met her, I knew she was the girl for me. Her sweet smile and her warm hello were enough to disarm me.
Hello, do I smile and look away?
No, I think I’ll smile and stay
To see where this might go
I went on to marry the girl and many were surprised while a few felt envious. After all, it was not everyday that a beautiful woman would say ‘I do’, to a PWD (person with disability) like me. People said she was my gift, my blessing, my answered prayer.
Sittin’ by the fire we made
You’re the answer when I prayed
I would find someone
And baby I found you
Unfortunately, we live in a world where the man is seen as the ruler of the house. He’s expected to be the big guy tasked with the duty of keeping the family safe from harm. For this role, he’s seen as a hero and in some cases, a superhero, especially when the job requires him to show his innate strength as a man.
I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
This ‘hero’ role, many say, is something that the male PWD is unable to play with great ease. Often lacking in physical strength, the male PWD can sometimes become a source of embarrassment for his family, particularly his wife, for failing to play the role of a strong and dependable man.
I may be disturbed, but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it’s not easy
To be me
It’s the “knight in shining armour” syndrome at work here. Discussed in psychology books as an unconscious desire to be protected by someone strong and powerful, it’s a common need among women confronted with great danger.
Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I’m yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
It will not matter if you earn well, or a good provider, or have a pretty face. In the end, a woman will still want his man to be strong and powerful for her to feel safe and protected. This is the reason many male PWDs end up having failed relationships or having no relationship at all with the opposite sex. We are seen as weak and incapable of defending our women in the face of danger and adversity.
Babe, I know that it’s wrong
But you know I’m really not that strong
How I wish I could tell you that I am
It’s sad, but it’s true that despite how far we have come as humans, we still long to fulfill the primary human desires like seeking protection from a stronger species. This ‘protection issue’ has now become a critical factor in my relationship with the only woman I ever cared for. Love may be the strongest force in the world, but it may not be enough to keep two people together amidst life-threatening situations, and the man happens to be a PWD like me.
You know, we always had each other, baby
I guess that wasn’t enough
Oh oh, but here in my heart
I give you the best of my love
If you’ve given so much in love and was told that it still was not enough, “Best of My Love” by Eagles may be the song for you. Listen here:
The iconic rock band Eagles recorded “Best of My Love” as part of the album On the Border released in 1974. Members Glenn Frey, J. D. Souther, and Donn Henley co-wrote the song with the latter on lead vocals.
“Best of My Love” served as the Eagles’ first number one hit, capturing the top spot in Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1975. A month before this, the song was declared number one in the Adult Contemporary chart, a position it kept for a full week. Additionally, Billboard placed “Best of My Love” at 12th spot in its 1975 list of top songs.
AKA Music 