Heartstrings Pulled

I learned a few hours ago of the passing of a friend's mother, and my heart just hurts.  My friend and I lost touch through the years after our gaming group ended and our lives moved in different directions, but I've peripherally been aware of his life through a mutual friend (who has been friends with the guy since elementary school and views the woman who passed as a second mother).  I've only met my friend's mother once, years ago, but my heart hurts for him.  I knew this was coming, and  I've been wanting to reach out to him so I actually hunted down his address online today so I could send him a card to let him know I'm thinking of him.  The plan was to pick it up at lunch tomorrow.  After learning of his mother's passing, I did something that is out of character for me, but I wanted to do something to let the family know my thoughts are with them.  My friend doesn't have a Facebook page anymore, but his father does and is friends with our mutual friend . So I sent the father (who I've only met once) a message on Facebook with my condolences. I don't know if he'll even read it since it is from a stranger, but I hope he does. 

While I was eating dinner this evening, my mother called with news about my uncle.  He was scheduled for surgery today after a recurrence of cancer.  Long story short, things look a lot worse than they first thought, and my parents are making a journey tonight to be with my aunt.  My heart wrenched again for my uncle, my aunt, my cousins.  I started the day thinking of loved ones who had passed and recalling the importance of family in my life.  Seems like that happened for a reason.  My heart aches for the people I care about (and Hell, yes, I do still care about the friend I haven't seen in a while!), and I feel powerless to help. My brain is telling me I need to do something, but other than letting them know I'm here and sending love and prayers, this is beyond my control, and I HATE it! I want to just hug everyone and tell them things will be better, but I don't have the power to make it better. 

I'm going to take a few moments tonight to reflect on my loved ones and the joy they bring to my life.  I'll say a prayer for my friend, his family, my uncle, my cousins, my aunt.  Then I'll retire to my blanket fort with my dogs and cry for a bit (and yes, I know it sounds a little melodramatic, but it's how I feel right now!).  I'll hug my dogs, hold my husband tight, and fill the universe with loving, warm thoughts.  And tomorrow, I'll face the world again.