The Shell

I have known and met many people. With exception of my wife, I am not still good, close friends with them. I have tried to understand why this is. I do have many peripheral friends. Friends that when you first meet them are anonymous to you. My peripheral friends have a shell. The few that I have allowed to have that shell cracked to expose the inner person have been close friends for a while. Once the stuff of life starts oozing out the friendships starts to wane. The family members come to light. The relationship with the spouses becomes apparent. The dynamic issues in the family interferes with the relationship. I am not as lucky as other people. I find it difficult to to feel the same about someone once the shell has been broken and the yoke is all out. I love the adage "No one see you like someone else". It is that perception that is really the most important. I do care about the person that I project to others. Not that other people's opinions are always the most important but I would like the image that I have of myself to be close to the one that I show my acquaintances.