I think that when you care about anything or anyone, there is a risk of experiencing pain...but that any love felt for another is the most joyous of human emotions and well worth the risk of its potential loss. If you end up hurting it's because you greatly valued it. These feelings give our lives meaning, they make us who we are, they give us reason to face each new day. Love is joy. Loving means risking loss. In loss there may be pain...but true love will endure and remain within you when the pain eventually dissipates.

Well, at least that's my hopeful view on it.