Altered State, I haven't read all the replies, so forgive me if I'm repeating something. Your innocent prayer as a child shows the real heart of you, you care so much about people, and you would rather have peace and suffer alone... I believe that we are still the people we were when we were young, because then we didn't hide ourselves behind masks and bravery.

I just want to leave you with one thought, don't worry about asking to carry someone else's burden, God will never bring something on your path that you can't handle. Maybe you are the one that suffers more because in the end you are stronger and the only one who can really handle it...