what do you think makes a good relationship work?

I think the one major thing that can help foster good relationships, be they business, social, or spousal relationships, is to treat eachother with a certain dignity and genuine consideration.

I think communication also, and a great deal of understanding. I'm glad your wife has someone like you with having an illness. I got really sick and my husband had to carry half the time because I was so weak I couldn't walk. It brought us closer together. I think it's in crises times like those that either makes or breaks a relationship. My husband and I have a wonderful relationship because when I need someone to lean on he is there for me and when he needs the shoulder I'm there for him.

Respect and communication! That is the very key to survival in any relationship!

I think there are a lot of things required to make a relationship work, but two really important things are trust and communication.