Well stated, wpowers. The toll exacted from those who cannot trust is high. Scott Peck, in The Road Less Traveled, defines transference as that set of ways of perceiving and responding to the world which is developed in childhood and which is usually entirely appropriate to the childhood environment (indeed, often life-saving) but which is inappropriately transferred into the adult environment.

Children who learn during childhood that people cannot be trusted often encounter a difficult time in relationships as a result. I still am not so quick to trust. As a consequence, I have lived most of my life alone. I expect there will always be a void.

Even so, over time I have been able to trust more, for which I am most thankful.