Can love prevail?

"Aren't you tired yet? "The devil sitting on one shoulder asked me in the car this afternoon on my way home from food shopping.

"Tired? " Me - the monkey in the middle asked.

"Tired ? " Echoed the angel on the other shoulder.

Sighing, the devil on my shoulder put her hands on her hips and looked disgustedly at me while we are now stopped at a traffic light.

"Yeah, Tired. YOU KNOW. (yawning) TIRED?????"

"Umm. well. I got plenty of sleep last night and haven't done all that much today, so, I'm not sure what you are getting at. " Monkey in the middle replies.

At that moment the angel on the other shoulder, incensed in Stewie -like - fashion a la Family Guy, Looks at the devil and says:

"OF COURSE She isn't TIRED. Now you listen here WOMAN! Stop stirring up TROUBLE! WE ARE FINE!"

"UMmm, 'WE'??? MOnkey inquires.

"YES WE." says Stewie-angel, glaring at devil.

"OK -but by fine, you mean, NOT physically tired - right? Monkey inquires

"Of Course, why what did YOU think I meant?" Devil grins serenely at Monkey and stewie.

"I wasn't really sure because while I am not physically tired, I am feeling rather emotionally and psychologically exhausted at the moment.... but if that's not what you meant then we're all good here. " Monkey says - innocently.

"well - that DOES qualify - don't you think???" Devil suggests looking slyly at Stewie

"NOW YOU JUST STOP THAT INSTANTLY!!! LOOK AT THE TROUBLE YOU ARE CAUSING!!!! Stewie shrieks at the devil - with some stamping of feet,

"Now now - this may not be the time for a temper tantrum, Stewie. I am just trying to help Monkey here decide if she is tired, and why" Devil serenely smiles annoyingly again.

" That is not AT ALL what you are doing and YOU KNOW IT" Stewie raises the voice again.

"Folks, if I may jump in here, since this is all in MY head and MY argument, and it's all about, well, ME - I would like to verbalize this particular inner monologue:

You see - I AM TIRED. No not physically. I go between restless nightmare ridden sleep and too much sleep or drug induced sleep from the sleeping pills ( a rarity to be sure). I don't think sleep is the problem. My exhaustion comes from everything else. The job that I used to love that is claiming me as one of the many who are burnt out. The second job that I love which has started to become problematic as I don't feel like I have anything left to give these kids. I feel empty inside. I live with someone who on the one hand resents me for all that I do and on the other loves me for all the same things that I do.

Is love enough to make it? RIght now we are having problems. I think we can get through it but frankly this is usually the point where I make a break for it. WHen the going gets THIS tough - I'm out. So you see the cut and run option - that's you devil my dear. THe stay and work it out and fight for that love - that's Stewie Angel.

And I don't know which of you will win - yet.

But I want to pin my hopes on love. I just hope it's enough to win this battle.

Depression should kill not maim - people would protect from it and fight it a lot more actively.