Love is it's own reward

You never know if your efforts have been squandered. Boys grow up like onions, each new layer seemingly covering up the layer before, but deep inside their hearts remain moist due to the nourishment you provided then during their younger years. They may go through a dry and papery phase, but it is not until they are planted and put down shoots of their own that your earlier investment shows results. Getting older is no reason to stop doting on young friends, just instead of being a big brother or father figure, you will play more of a grandfatherly role. Maybe your young friend's parents will also appreciate your wisdom, seeing you more as a complement to their parenting instead of as a rival like they did when you were younger. Many grandparents' lives revolve around their grandchildren. It's not such a bad lifestyle. Beats growing old alone and gushless. Often you will hear grandparents say that they never really got good at being a parent until they became grandparents. Even if we accept your harsh critique of your earlier relationship outcomes to be squandered, you may learn from the past and have better outcomes in the future. You will never know for sure if you don't try.