Imagine, now, the most serious relationship of your life. You and a significant other, bound as close as two individuals could possibly be. Life without this other is inconceivable, he/she is essential as breath and blood to you. Your well-being depends on the other. Sickness and health, laughter and security and fun. Even the glow on your face and the sparkle in your eye. Without this being, you would never even try: Hanging out with friends. Shaking hands with your colleagues. Taking a vacation. Playing in the waves. Growing with your children.
What do you imagine this other to be like? Someone you know and love, deeply care about? Reality check. This being is a stranger. You spend every minute of every day together, without ever getting to know one another. You never have any fun together. You hang out on the couch, eat together and sleep together, never knowing what goes on inside each of you, what the other likes to do or what he/she is capable of accomplishing. The other never achieves their potential, only exists. And when someone asks you, "What does _ do?" You reply with a laugh, "Oh, nothing at all. Does _ really look like _ is capable of anything?"
Despite your closeness and absolute need for one another, this other is never worthy of your esteemed time, attention or respect. Why would you bother, when your exalted mind has so much more to occupy itself with, and the other is so quiet, so insignificant, undemanding and tolerant of your impositions?
Until the day he/she gives up on you, this stranger is ignored. And the day it happens, miracles are forgotten and feats extraordinaire ignored, and you moan to the world about how you're growing old and heavy, and your body no longer serves you the way it used to.
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