_felix_

If they were bereft of pain their would not be much at stake. Once you are open with someone, you are opening yourself up for the chance of pain. Of course you are also opening yourself up for the chance to receive all of those wonderful things too. The alternative of being closed off and shut down, is not pretty. Why even bother being alive if youre going to run and hide.

True.
Because there is no safety in this world there is always pain.
Even if your relationship was perfect - when they finally passed away and were gone for ever you would feel pain. You would feel pain if they had any issue or heartache. There is always pain.