Hello, Anita.

Regarding your question, I think it would be the same for any relationship. It is the same with a few friends I made in last years. I would be a friend for them for my own sake, and I wouldn’t expect the same from them.

I have another very old friend with unhealthy lifestyle. When something unpleasant happens in his life or he needed help, I would help. Because it is good for him and it’s good for me. It pleases me to know that at least some people get to have support that I didn’t.

When I asked a small (but significant for me) favor from that friend, he failed to deliver. Sure enough, people might neglect others for various and valid reasons, but at least I won’t be the worse for it.

I think self-reliance is a virtue, and that putting any trust in a person has to be a well-observed and careful affair.

One old guru said that love is a one-way traffic, giving without expecting anything in return. Truly, I don’t know if this is my twisted version of it.

I would be glad to continue chugging along in my own solitude, but I found out that this is not how human nature operates. And, well, we are all humans.