An unpaid, informal, invisible, forever-battling but determined carer
who can find solace in rare alone-ity.
Notice that the carer sits at the end of the seat out of habit - leaving
space for the missing caree.
Another aspect, of course, is that carers need time away from their
carees and do not have reliable friends. We will see more "When it
comes to friends, Marriott is frank. They let you down."
Becoming a "couple of one" is a significant finding . .. The concept implies that carers become "emotional widow/ers" long before they become actual ones. The reciprocal nature of a couple's relationship is severed by a cruel act of fate.
The severing creates a state of biographical limbo in which the carer, entangled with the caree through a mutual past, is unable to fully live in the present or to plan for a future . . .
The full biographical impact of this realization triggers a deep sense of loss and grief, alleviated to some extent through the use of humour and faith.
12, 13 and 14 here.
Hugh Marriott - The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring here
for pasting Alone Home page here