Well said…my “concerns felt like an oblivious act of self absorption to someone who is self-absorbed with imminent survival”—

Yes I do agree.

That’s how I sense she felt it.

And also —yep, never should have voiced it to her.

It wasn’t planned—it was pain just spoken so naturally that one would even imagine I was talking to a friend.

But that’s the lesson: she’s not the friend I have propped her to be. She is a friend in the “typical book” definition…but to my own —now personal definition—she failed.
That’s what hurt—the realization of letting face to face with the one who did see me as self-absorbed —

My level of empathy is quite enormous—I’m an empath. She herself knows it—she’s loved being friends with me—for she’s benefitted from having someone who has listened and shown empathy.

I’ve met special individuals who have shown empathy despite their enormous challenges. My family who live in a country where their day to day challenges include—basics: water, electricity—eating.
They ask—how are you? They wish to know how I’m doing…so there are plenty of examples where empath defy the “direct proportionality” to what they can.

But I still see your point in that perhaps most fall in the category you described—and this friend clearly falls in this category too.

Sadly—I have no more grace. It was the incident that pulled away my rosy colored glasses.

But nonetheless—I truly appreciate your candid and well meaning comment. There is a lot of validity and it made me reflect further

For that I thank you—and your kindness and time spent here.

Peace ☮️