I saw tears well up a colleague's eyes today. She cried because I was leaving. Leaving for a new beginning and a future that is not yet mine. The same thing happened two days ago.

Couldn't bear to see a friend go, they both said, when I caught sight of the teardrops that had no place to hide. I had never thought my departure would cause anyone to feel a sense of loss, much less to cry for me. I had always been straight-faced and almost severe-looking. And I always jokingly say that I am only kind to animals and objects to give the perception of one made of sterner stuff.

Yet who doesn't love? Love seems to be the only raison d'etre for our existence. In Jane Eyre's words, "Human beings must love something". And I must add, we must love unconditionally and love like we have never been hurt before.

Hey, and 'unconditionally' means not merely loving the beautiful, the humourous, the classy, the talented, the colour of our own etc. It means loving even those who continue to test our patience, those whom we love yet persist in hating us, and generally, the unlovable.

Loving unconditionally has been my deepest struggle. And after having been cynical and sceptical half my life, it is hard to convince others that I too have the flame of love and gentleness that is slowly burning at the core of my being.

But I have been a recipient of unconditional love. The love of God and the love of all the wonderful people he has graciously and generously placed in my path. Some might have moved on in life, but I know without them, a part of me would be missing.

I hope it is the same with the two colleagues who were trying to hide their tears, that there is a part of me that is in them. I didn't have a chance to wipe those tears away or say things to help them feel better about my leaving, but I wish them love and abundance, for showing a cynic like me that love does bear all and can conquer all.

I don't know what my future holds or when we meet again, if things would still be the same, if we would still find each other's voices just as familiar, or if the shadows would lengthen its reign on us. But I know a part of me remains in these friendships that I will always treasure. This now moment of friendship is all that matters to me.

I am reminded of some verses in David Whyte's poem Sweet Darkness:

'Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that doesn't bring you alive

is too small for you.'

It is wonderful to know there are friends who are a matching fit and that there's no settling for anyone or anything less.