Though it certainly isn't a requirement, it seems as if the people that have been there help pull the newbie's through the process. If it isn't that it is a core group of friends that bond together and ride it out(thanks, lodo, Karen and gforce). We all may not come to the same place at the same time, and that is fine too.
Don't beat yourself up over it. If you want to later you can and just think of yourself as paying it forward. But really if you can't there isn't anyone out there keeping score. Just be good to yourself first or you can't help anyone.
kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory