well, you sound quite like the life of the party. Bitterness and vulgarity and ageism have always been attractive traits. Let’s not hope that in a decade somebody tells you they’re not interested in old female opinions.

But what is more important, is the truth. There is no major difference between physical and mental sicknesses. We have made great advances in recent decades in that women do not feel required to “stand by their man” when he has a psychological defect that makes him addicted to alcohol. We do not judge a woman who leaves a sex addict, or a compulsive gambler. We understand those poor souls are not at fault for being sick, yet we understand when there is a deeply personal limit to the amount of support a partner can give.

Be realistic and truthful. We’ve all given up on the “till deal do us part”. When a person has tried hard to help, for years — maybe even for decades — we do not judge, unless we are self-righteous.