Well, Barb, I certainly meant no "disrespect" in using the word "courage" in connection with being a single PWP! What you say about that state of being is true, for sure. I've counselled enough people in unhappy marriages to have no illusions about the pitfalls of being married.....what I was thinking of in my comment was the man in our support group here who lives alone because his wife (who just has died) has been in a NH for 8 yrs. with the slow death of Huntington's, and how he gets frozen and lies on the floor for a couple of hours, with no one there to help him. I thought too of some of the things posted by single people on thislist about feelings of isolation. I commend you for your attitude...if it wouldn't make you mad, I'd say you are a "survivor" in the best sense of the word---and surely all of life takes courage, marriage included! OK? <grinning> <ducking><surrendering> Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter78/7,Ohio