Recently a promising friend turned out to be a manipulative and controlling bully to his sister, niece and nephew and I came close to having another abusive relationship until I dumped him fast.

But then his sister became someone I could really count on. Her children's comments were testament to their mother's love and committment, not just to them but to others who were in need of help.

Being practical she looked after me with such care and devotion that I was near tears with gratitude. And she kept constant in her taking care of me every day and every night right up to the present. We are now a couple and our children happy.

In the trust of sharing, it means opening up, except that action causes us to become vulnerable. If this fear can be overcome, then friendship could last a lifetime. It's a risk, of course, but I'm game. My daughter and I cannot be lonely forever, so we took the chance to reach out.

I am reminded by the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire who wrote:

“Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, we're afraid!" they responded. "Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, We will fall!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”