Broken relationships - of any kind - from my past have usually not occupied much space or time in my present. Yes, I think of the people I have left behind and carry their memories, whether pretty or ugly, but they are just that - memories. Rarely do I ponder or brood over them.

But there is one rather unpleasant baggage that these broken relationships bring along with them. One that is tad more difficult to deal with.

With that one severed tie, several others snap, or worse, get strained. If it snaps, it's better. It's over. But if it's strained, well... it can be a strain. A fundamental question arises: When that one primary tie breaks, does it (or should it) break all the other secondary ties (which were formed because of the primary one)?

Confusing?

Ok. Say you spot your ex's sister at a party? When you were still with your ex you got along with her like a house on fire. But after the ugly break-up, do you still walk up to her with a grin or do you try to be inconspicuous behind the nearest potted palm? Or better still, convince yourself that she is one of "them" and pretend that she is part of the furniture? Apart from the complete mish-mash of emotions, logic and reasoning whirring madly in the blender of your brain, the elementary practical problem of whether you should stay rooted or walk or dive for the palm requires immediate action.

So, back to the fundamental question. Does the severance of one relationship break all the other ones that it had nurtured?

I don't know really.