I don't like feeling helpless. No one does. I hate feeling helpless regarding a situation that I'm not the one needing the help. I hate not being in a position to help my dear friends.

My friend Doug has been having a hard time with life right now. He lost his fiance last year, his dad a few years back. He's had a hell of a time finding work after being laid off. The work he has found has given him nothing but grief. He's been forced to move in with friends, store everything he has, and to move again after that. He was finally getting things straightened out. He's my favorite friend from Ren Faire.

Throughout all of this, he has been very strong, always keeping his friends inspired, always making the faire a grand event for all. He lives up North, so I don't see him very often, and am kind of far away to be "there" for him, even though I talk to him online a lot.

So, a bit over a year from losing his fiance, he lost his Mom on Friday. Yet another person gone from his life. I know that there isn't much that I can do to make the situation better, other than offer an ear, but I really wish that there was more that I could do.

Helpless, one of those yucky feelings.