When words aren't enough

When a friend loses someone dear to them, the first reaction of most people is to go to them and give them a big hug. Half the time, nothing is even said. The hug is all that's needed and it's the best thing you can do.

But what if you can't? What if all you have is a damn chat box? What if all you have are the words you struggle to cobble together to try and express how you feel, as inadequate or ill-chosen as they can be, when you have no eyes to look at them and no hands to touch them, no arms to hold them in a long, comforting embrace?

It's agonizing. It seems to push you farther apart at those moments, rather than bringing you closer as you intend. And there is no way to know if your friend is being quiet because they're sitting there crying, or because they're simply doing something else.

But sometimes a chat box is all we have, and we have to make do with it, for better or worse. It's better than nothing, I guess.