And sometimes they can't change for the better, but that doesn't have to mean the end of the relationship. I'm just thinking about people with progressive illnesses like my late husband.

There came a time when we had sex for the last time. Of course, we didn't know it was the last time, only that sex was becoming increasingly rare because of his deteriorating health.

When he died, a couple years later, I was taken by surprise, though I certainly should not have been. Part of my coping with his illness was presuming the status quo.

I coped by not expecting that he would die soon.

But I did come to expect that our relationship would remain sexless. That made the relationship no less valuable, no less filled with love.

Just a different perspective, although I certainly agree with the points you make!