Loyalty and Abandonment

Tragedy and fear can bring a lot out in people. Sometimes the result isn't noble or something to be proud of. People abandon others, even loved ones, when the tragedy and fear is too difficult to bear. Children are abandoned in some countries due to birth defects, which could be more cultural than personal. People who are accused of crimes are sometimes shunned by others, even close friends and relatives, even after their cases are dismissed. It's just too frightening to be around a deformed person or someone who might be a criminal.

However, in many cases, tragedy draws people closer together. The good and caring element of the human experience is that most people have a deep empathy for their fellow man. And when a loved one is in trouble, those who love him rally their support and see him through to resolution. It was...