Some of the examples in this story perfectly demonstrate the selfishness of people involved in relationships. This is why the divorce rate is so high and friendships are shallow. I could not imagine treating my friends like some of the examples in this story. I lost my mother when I was 35 y.o. and she was 55 y.o., does this mean that my friends should not ever talk about their mothers and issues they have? Of course not, the world did not stop revolving when my mother passed away and I shouldn't expect everyone to not ever talk about their mother (good or bad). I loved my mother dearly and miss her like crazy and it still stings when I hear the words "mom" "mother" etc., but I'm a friend to my friends and a part of that friendship is getting over my personal discomforts to be there for them. Of course, when my mother first passed away, my friends and family for that matter, felt uncomfortable talking about anything related to the word "mother" in my presence, but I have a really good friend who told me that she felt bad talking about her relationship with her mom, when mine was no longer with us. As a friend, I freed her from her discomfort, by telling her that her life did not stop with my moms death, and the only way to be a good friend was to be there even when things are uncomfortable. I told her to talk about her mom and their relationship, afterall it is apart of her life and so am I. I know she would do the same for me.

All I can say is ........ Grow Up People. Relationships (marriage, friendships, family etc.), take kindness, compassion, patience, understanding, empathy, sympathy, laughter, love, support, sacrifice, tears, forgiveness and anger at times. I like my friendships longlasting, especially the ones that know you so well that when you share a story or experience with them, you don't have to go back and give background information for them to understand. For those types of friendships, you have to have a history together and in order to have a history together, you have to go through some things together and come out on the other end stronger. Well you can't come out stronger, when you give up when things are tough!