Evolution

Moments when it is threatened by loss make you realise: the scale and capacity of human love, though (very obviously) a joyous thing, is a massive risk. The risk of course is that such an intensity of connection, if severed (by death) will completely disable the individual. Presumably, in evolutionary terms, the joy outweighs the risk, or we would not have evolved this capacity for such deep love. And, naturally, it is easy enough to think of ways in which that joy is useful in terms of propagating the genes—making us more protective and nurturing of our children. But to stand on the brink of losing a child brings this realisation home: the potential negative is so huge, the joy must be greater.