Loyality
It's been my experience that most of those who fancy themselves as your "friend", will happily remain your friend as long as nothing is required of them. As long as they don't have to put forth effort to be your friend, as long as you don't demand anything of them, you will be BFF. But let you stand in need of anything. I don't mean money necessarlly, but support, compassion, etc.., you will find out how truely alone you are.

After having been burned a few times, it is my position now that I don't believe a word anyone says about being my friend. I don't expect anything of anyone. If someone comes through as promised, its a bonus, but I never ever expect it. People don't disappoint me anymore, because I don't let them.

These same people will spend your money, eat your food, drink your alcohol when times are good, but let your spouse leave you, lose your job, become seriously ill, and these same people wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire.

Don't get me wrong, there are people in my life I l love dearly and are good, kind, well intended people. They really believe it when they pledge their loyality. But when the shit hits the fan, its human nature for people to run and cover hoping none of your shit spill over on them. I also don't mean to imply that everyone in my life has let me down, that's not true. But enough people have let me down when I really needed them, that I mistrust everyone. People who, when they needed me, I was there.

I love my husband to death, but we are not together because of love. We are together because I put up with his shit and he puts up with mine. And I know he loves me too, but if he walked out of the door tomorrow, I wouldn't bat an eye.

I realize that this is a sad state in which to exist. And I am not presenting myself as the perfect friend as I am sure I have disappointed some people, and more than once, but I do try hard, and I am loyal, usually to the point of my detrament.

Loyality, in general, doesn't exsist unless there is some personal gain at the end or it requires no effort. Its very true when they say laugh and the whole world laughs with you, weep--and you weep alone.