I think it is easy to sympathize with a person or people going through difficult time. It is easy to keep your emotions at a distance and not lose any sleep at night. But empathy is a real feeling and it seems it is a learned emotion. Or it least it has been for me. I had a friend many years ago who was elderly and lived alone with his little dog Peg. She was a cute little pug and I know he loved her dearly. When she died, my friend was devastated and I sympathize with him. His grief was deep and prolonged, and at the time, I thought it was a bit too much. I recall thinking, all this over a dog? I didn’t get it. But now, years later I have own little dog. He is almost 14 years old and he has cancer and may not live to see his birthday in July. And now I am devastated. I now know what my friend was going through. I feel empathy. I get it now.
