Every day your update elicit so many questions I want to ask. I think most of all I want to know more, to understand better.

Compassion is a topic close to my heart because for a long time I didn't understand or believe in it. I believed in kindness and care, but not compassion (and this is despite being given a lot of love and care as a child). I couldn't believe that anyone would really want to or be willing to take the time to feel my suffering with me, not truly in any continuous meaningful way. In fact, writing this just now I wonder if this is what my therapist has been saying for years when she's said "I'm alongside you". Literally for years (and in many ways this continues) her saying this was meaningless for me, it was just words. Then she told me that there is some pain where all someone can do is be there until it settles. I understood that. To me that is compassion, to stay. I thought about that when you wrote that you went back to see the homeless man, he said "you came back, no one comes back".

I'm sorry for writing so much, I'm sure you have enough to read. I hope you have a lovely time with your friend. Enjoy!