Don't tell a sick person you'll check on them

[OldBaldy1701E]

14. Sitting here in agony, I can relate to that very well.

The thing that gets me these days is that such events prove that even those who you were sure were close to you usually are not as close as you thought. Yet, when I am a bit standoffish and reluctant to just take everything at its word, I get accused of being 'a grouch' and 'unfriendly'. Well, I did not become that way by choice. I became that way from experience. And, there is no better teacher than experience. NONE.

Or to use that golden oldie:

'Once learned, twice earned.'