A Matter of Life and Death

Description

In the book *A Matter of Life and Death*, we encounter the story and philosophy of two minds—not just one—penned by two distinguished professors and prolific authors. With clarity and candor, they look back on sixty-five years of life shared as a couple, thinkers, and university professors—a partnership that produced significant works, enriching the global body of literature. This reflection unfolds as one of them is diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells), leaving the other gripped by the profound anxiety of potentially losing the most important person in their life.

The man is Dr. Irvin Yalom, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, who dedicated sixty years to teaching psychiatry and psychotherapy. Throughout his career, he treated countless patients devastated by the loss of loved ones; yet, he found himself overcome by the fear of having to live as an “independent adult”—for the first time in his life—following the loss of his wife.

The woman is Dr. Marilyn Yalom, who also held a prominent position as a professor of comparative literature (specializing in French and German) at Stanford University. She authored numerous significant books and studies in the fields of comparative literature and women’s issues. Both Irvin and Marilyn Yalom were pioneers in their respective disciplines.

Excerpts from *A Matter of Life and Death*
I fell in love with Marilyn seventy-three years ago, and not long ago, we celebrated our sixty-fifth wedding anniversary. I know it is not common for one person to love another so deeply and for such a long time.
Yet, even now, when she enters a room, my face lights up. I admire everything about her—her radiance, her beauty, her gentleness, and her wisdom. Despite our different intellectual backgrounds, we share a profound love for literature and the theater; whenever I have a question about the humanities, she never fails to enlighten me.
Our relationship has not always been tranquil—we have had our disagreements, our quarrels, and our impulsive moments—but we have always been open and honest with one another, and, above all, we have always prioritized our relationship.