Loving Someone Who Doesn't Love You

[serenity_24]

I was talking to a friend today about parents and I began to talk about my dad. Now my dad is such a dead beat that it aint funny. However, I still love him. My friend said that I was wasting time and that they could never love anyone who didn't love them back. I thought about it for a while, but I concluded that I was doing the right thing. I will always love my father because he is my flesh and blood. If he ever needed anything I would be there for him. I believe that I have to do unto others as I would have them do unto me, not do unto others as they do unto me.

What do you think?

Would the dynamics be any different with a boyfriend or girlfriend? If you told someone you loved them is there any reason for you to stop loving them just because things didn't work out?