charlatan

When it rains it pours.

My friend of twenty years has lost the love of his life. Four years together and it is over. He wants my help and I don't know what to do. He never asks anyone for help. He is devastated. I wish I knew the solution.

My friend has lost her boyfriend for four years. She wants my help. She is crushed, shaken by tears. I don't know how to help her. I can't take away the pain.

My wife is clinically depressed. She calls every night crying, telling me how sorry she is for messing up our lives. I want to take her shame away. Steal her pain. I can't. She is dying inside. I am watching.

My friend is sick. She doesn't see it yet. She will. I will be patient and supportive. I want to make her better. I can't. It is hard to watch people make the same choices that I have regretted making in my life. I watch and wait. I am here.

A new friend is hurting inside. Sick with worry. Perhaps too much so. It seems to be consuming him. I cannot calm him for I don't know him that well. I wish i could. I can't.

These things weigh on my heart.

All these things and tomorrow is my anniversary. My first alone.