There was a former co-worker of my wife's. He came over to get my wife's help on a job - sort of a sub-contractor situation. He asked why we were no longer going to meetings. I explained it to him.
I thought he might just pack up and leave. Instead he listened intently. He smiled and thanked me for sharing that with him.
A few years later he spoke to my wife again. So, I don't think we scared him off.