Today I had lunch with my mom and sister, and tomorrow I'm seeing some very dear friends. What makes me think of all this? Of affection. We take it for granted, and when we lose it, we cry bitterly. Life is empty without affection: whether it's for family, friends, an animal, or whoever the recipient. Only inanimate things don't feel it, otherwise, every living being (be it a person, an animal, a plant) feels it to varying degrees.