''Tis the season... be a friend.

I'm new at this, but I have a story to share. This summer I got dumped by my girlfriend of 18 months. One of the worst parts is how close we we're to being back at college together. I thought if I could hold off the inevitable until school started, then it would just go away. I couldn't do it. I slipped into a depression that still hasn't completely left me. Since that happened, I've been taking the time to catch up with old friends over a beer or something. I've realized how short life is to fixate on things that knock you down. Through catching up with these people, I am astounded by the amount of heart break in the air. It seems to be everywhere. It kind of helped me realize how small my problems were compared to serious issues in this world.
What I've drawn from this recent realization is that there isn't really a whole lot that anyone can say to help a friend feel better right away. There isn't a be all end all phrase or advice that makes everything better. Sometimes you have to just let people have their moment. The thing that I've found helps the most is just continuing to let this person know that you are there for them. Be a friendly smile and have a shoulder available to cry on. Being a friend sometimes makes all the difference in the world. Happy friendships!