<human>: Can you provide a brief overview of the text?

What does it mean when you ex calls you and texts you every couple of months? She broke up with me and we've been broken up for nearly 2 years now, and she still calls me every couple months. She at one point even surprise visited me 7 or 8 months ago in college, without even telling me beforehand haha. Talk about a shocker...she even ran, jumped, and hugged me when she first saw me. She stopped by with her friends for a couple of hours on the way of them going to a city a few hours north. The last time we really talked was when she texted me 3 months ago. We actually had a very good rhythm going on back and forth through the phone and facebook. But then she stopped and I didn't hear from her for a couple weeks afterwards until she called me for my birthday. I was actually upset at her and didn't pick up the phone and have yet to contact her. That was a month and a half ago. This is of importance as well, I believe: even though she contacts me every couple of months she stops completely after we start talking again. Why...maybe safety net? I am also never the one to initiate contact.  Although I believe this is because that when we go further into a conversation I become very needy and desperate(same reason the breakup happened) and you can feel the vibe of the conversation breaking down. The biggest obstacle to overcome is me being still slightly hurt(although I've had phenomenal strides forward emotionally and my self-esteem has never been better!).  

I still care for her and wish her the best. Honestly, I think we could make it work even in friendship, but I don't want to go off in that tangent haha. 

So my question is does my ex genuinely still care for me and, if so, should I further dive in or is she keeping me hanging on? Something to consider as well is we were the closest people(our friendship being strong on an emotional and adventure level) to each other for years before we started dating and we are both still single. Thanks for any help!
<bot>: Ex still contacts me and clings on every word I say...then stops communicating until a couple months later.  How should I work this situation?