Peter Breggin, who, in The Heart of Being Helpful, writes about the nature of unconditional love.2 We love them not only warts and all, but nasty, self-centered intentions and all. We love them despite, and even because of, the inherent flaws and contradictions that plague all human beings. We love them when they are feeling generous and when they are feeling selfish. We love them when they are brave and when they are cowardly; when they are brilliant and when they are stupid; when they are physically beautiful and when they are ravaged by illness and age.
