Question of the ages

How far do you go to help a friend?

I recently watched a friend completely derail the life she had been living. The decisions she made, had been making, were completely counter to anything I would have previously attributed to her. But yet, she said that THIS is what she wants and has wanted. She says that the recent decisions, though radical, are actually in keeping with who she really is and I just never saw it.

I'd like to think of myself as someone who would go out of their way to help a friend. I like to think of myself as a "good" friend. I offered to help my friend. I offered to help her get professional help. These offers were well meaning and rooted in the belief that other issues were clouding her judgement. Needless to say, my offers were rejected and I was vilified for suggesting it.

So, I'm left wondering if I could have done more. Were there signs? Hints? Did I not pay attention and miss something that could have prevented her current situation? Or, in fact, is she actually finally happy and part of that happiness doesn't include our friendship?

In the jungle, or so I'm told, you throw things at each other . . . screech a bit. . . and then share some ants. We've hurled words and screeched at each other . . . now I wish we could share some ants. Sadly, human relationships are much harder.