This is a “hindsight is 20/20” situation.

I think the takeaway for those reading it is to remember if you are the caregiver, encourage your partner to maintain as much of their independence as possible.

If we are the one who is ill, accept that encouragement and push through as much as possible.

Another takeaway that is more broadly applied is:

Being aware of the relationship underneath all the surface-level, day-to-day activities and responsibilities.

A lot of the time in any relationship, even those with no illness, we tend to get so distracted by our schedules, just getting things done, that we forget about the RELATION part of this SHIP.

In other words, do you relax and just talk? Do you share in activities together: playing a game, taking a walk, making art, playing a sport? It doesn’t really matter what that extra activity is,

because it’s not about the activity: it’s about the connection that is being built up and maintained.

When anyone shares a story of a relationship that fell apart, take notes. Pay attention.

I bet you’ll find THIS,

what I just described above, was probably the root of everything that they lost.