I don’t know if it’s the only child sydrome leaking out of my soul, or, if I was born to be an independent woman, but lately I have encountered several women who refuse to leave men simply because they don’t want to be alone. A cousin of mine is in a bad relationship- her husband was hurt in an accident at work several years ago, is now addicted to pain pills and drinks. She is capable of living on her own. Before this marriage, she was married to a man who lived his life in the same manner as this husband- pills and booze. A pattern of men, perhaps? She is a professional- I won’t say what she does in case someone who knows her reads this blog and could take care of herself with no problem. Yet, she refuses to leave the mental/verbal abuse. No, I’ve never been in her situation, so me saying, “Leave the man and live your life,” is easier said than done, apparently. To the females who read my blog- would you rather know you could take care of yourself-man or no man, or, would you rather depend on someone to take care of you? To the men out there- do you respect a woman more if you know she is independent?