"When patients complain of dead and lifeless marriages, it is often possible to show them how precious the deadness is to them.” - Stephen Mitchell quoted in NYT Times article, "Can This Marriage be Saved", Sunday Aug 19

Mitchell's observation recalls the old Woody Allen joke:

"Doctor! My brother thinks he's a chicken."

"Why don't you have him committed?"

"I would, but we need the eggs." 

A friend complains bitterly about her partner: he's arrogant, thoughtless, a slob. She is not currently examining her contribution to the system, nor willing to reconnect to what each once loved in the other. What are the "eggs"? A house, an intact family, affluence?

To each person who has decided you don't need the eggs, that a nice dead life is... no life,  fond regards. When this happens, bluebirds do not pull back your curtains like a Disney movie. You'll struggle, and you will be alive.