An apology

[Dilwyn Owen]

Firstly, I just wanted to say congratulations to all involved in organising this years convention and the awards night.

I was looking forward to meet and have a chat with as many of you as I could after the awards dinner and I believe one or two had been looking for me, unfortunately my wife asked if we could go "up" as she felt very tired. We had been travelling since 8.30 that morning and didn't get to the hotel till nearly 4pm , fatigue is one of the side effects after breastcancer and every so often her batteries run flat.

Anyway, we were talking about the awards night last night and she was telling me how I froze up when they called my name and then " I could have died when I saw the picture"  she`s only seen the image a few times and when she has, its always been small. When the image came up on the screen that night it was BIG and it gave her a bit of a shock.

So apparently, she felt a bit embarrassed and self conscious and thats why she wanted to go up, but didn`t want to tell me that.

So please accept my apologies, I wasn`t being antisocial or ungrateful or anything.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the brilliant images and the evening, hopefully I can be there again next year,

Dilwyn..

[Bev Downie]

Dilwyn I was really pleased that your image won although Ic an imagine it was a bit of a shock for your wife!  It was well deserved and a very moving image and you should be very proud as should your lovely wife.

[Michelle Whitmore]

Ah but you didn't see the look on her face when you went up to collect your award - she was so proud of you  

[Tom Carroll]

I don't think either of you have anything to apologise for in the slightest. Your wife's bravery in allowing you to take/exhibit the image is to be commended. It can't have been easy to bare the scars that such a terrible illness inflicted upon her. By allowing us to share in her pain just a little, she is fostering an awareness in us of just what breast cancer does in reality. It's not all pink ribbons and fun runs. Cancer is real, and it's cruel and it's non-selective. Any of us can be its victim, as was my mother in law last year, only she didn't survive its effects. Hats-off to you and your wife. You can both hold your heads up high. Thanks for sharing. T

[Helen Sapiecha]

congratulations on the award, i said to my husband i hoped you would win it with youre image. i think its incredibly hard when you have such close connections to an image like this, but may i humbly say, the image/and youre wife, is beautiful. both (in my quiet opinion) are stunning examples of elegance, class, and strength. H xx

[Dilwyn Owen]

Thank you all for your comments and your kind replies, very much appreciated. I think the problem was that nowdays we see it as the "norm" and seeing herself that night bought things back a bit for her.

Thank you all again,

Dilwyn

[David Routledge]

Thank you all for your comments and your kind replies, very much appreciated. I think the problem was that nowdays we see it as the "norm" and seeing herself that night bought things back a bit for her.

Thank you all again,

Dilwyn

Hi Dilwyn

It is very humble of you to offer an apology when one is not needed. There is beauty, truth and dignity, not only in the image, but also in allowing it to seen by others. It is one of the most powerful and memorable images I have ever seen. Thank you both for sharing it.

God bless
Dave

[Dilwyn Owen]

Thank you Dave.

Dil