Every individual is representative of the whole . . . and should be intimately understood that way. The glue is wrapped up in love, and security or the lack thereof. Main thins is we realize it, maybe? Good write. Thanks.

a home, money, a car...nothing material should keep the unhappy together if all it will ensure is continuation of the grief. Not a suggestion, only a thought that came to me after reading this, Joan.

I hope it isn't inertia! I think too many marriages last for years just that reason.

Well written, and very thought provoking. I especially like the third stanza.

From reading this i can tell that there is something embedded very deep in you that holds the two of you together. Whatever it is, it's stronger than either of you. Because, no matter which directions you are both pulling away from eachother in, you are both also pulling towards eachother. And the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. Once you have both run out of the strength to try to pull away, you'll both settle back to eachother. Nothing is stronger than love.

Wow! Reminds me of someone I know. Well stated!! A great reminder, and echoe of that old song, "Love The One You're With."

...and your point? just joshing m'lady, 'tis true so true the dimensions of a living relationship...we sometimes zig when it would have been better to have zagged!! no training manuals for a life lived...i dove right into this as me and mebride have all our lives been on different clocks...she has to be [work] a morning person, but come around 8:45-9ish, she's out like a burned-out bulb...and we too share a home, a there is that 'indescribable' reason we [all we's] stay together...i love this work. a balance, eh? mutual shoulder-shrug.

"This old house", nice to see your calling such "a home". Great write Joan, you keep on thinking over those early morning coffee's... T

Maybe what is holding it together is the love you had for each other when it first began.. Look around. It's hidden there somewhere.

Congrats on POTD, Joan!