Loyalty and devotion are critical components of character.  These are especially essential do demonstrate with family and friends.  As with any good virtues, these often demand sacrifice and only become meaningful when they are put into practice when there is a steep price to pay.  Many people walk away from responsibilities when that price becomes too high.  We live in a world of "what's in it for me?"  The truth is, standing up and fulfilling our obligations -especially when our obligations or repsonsibilities are to other people, particularly those who are relying on us and have no way of paying us back- is the purest form of love.  This story (thank you PBS and Story Corps) of a mother and a daughter with a rare, lifelong disease is unique, to be sure, but it illustrates the same truth that each of us can exhibit in a hundred ways unique to every person and their particular life situation.