There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.

There is a kind of caring that expects no return and does not depend on the other person being impressive. It runs in one direction for years, and the people receiving it usually cannot see it while it is happening. Whether it stands above every other love is arguable; that it is particular and hard-won is not.

If you were given that, it may be worth saying so to whoever gave it while there is time. If you were not, the thing described is still available to give, and offering somebody steady care without conditions has never required being anyone’s parent.