Helpless - the shittiest of all feelings. We make excuses to fit our level of concern - a nephew is out of work and you feel for him. Maybe a significant person is dealing with strife and you don't feel the imperative. OK that's normal but it's not when the most important person in your life needs help and you are unable to provide it. It's not like you keep trying variations of the same idea - you protest, then you explain trying to pacify, then you accept and go along, then you go back to protestations and try what you believe is the best fit and still the tears flow and the subject matter is an unstable loved one who needs help more than your first love who needs comfort and encouragement that serenity is around the corner. I can handle dismay, disillusionment, disappointment and even a little depression but helpless is the worst feeling of all of them. Tomorrow I will . . .do something different..