We are all at this point of the semester where things are just HARD. The class load, the stress, working, no sleep, the germs, etc. It's all hitting us right now.

I have noticed how much my friends are just hurting right now. Some are healing from past wounds, some are struggling with family issues, some are stressed because of everything I mentioned above, some are trying to escape abusive situations, some are being racially attacked, some are battling with religious views, some are fearful to even walk down the street. Everyone is hurting in some way right now and I feel as if I cannot do enough for all of them.

To My Friends,

I'm sorry that I cannot always make time for you. I hope that the occasional texts messages, phone calls, and coffee dates are doing enough for you, even though I know that they are not. I'm trying to make time for you all I promise. I am just extremely busy. I feel as though I am constantly neglecting everyone and everything.

I promise I'm thinking about you from afar. I'm praying for you every day. I'm praying that you are not crying alone and that you get peace of mind. I'm praying that you know that I am always here for you. I hope you know that I can still be here for you. I am praying that you know you can call me, stop by my place, text me, anything. I will listen. I will let you cry. I will try to be here in any way that I can, even if that is just sitting there. Whatever you need, I will do anything in my power that I can.

I hope you realize that everything will work out. You'll get the homework done. Your relationships with people (family, boyfriends/girlfriends, other friends) will be restored. Everything will be OK and we will do this together. Take your mental health one day at a time and remember that there's a reason for everything. You are facing the trials that you are right now for a reason. You're so strong and can get through the hurt, the stress, and this time of confusion.

Life is tough, especially in college. We're broke, stressed, tired, sick, and trying to balance 8,000 responsibilities on our plate at the same time. College is this time when you realize a lot about your past and you face some of your biggest demons.

I'm so thankful to have these friends that have opened up to me and let me live with them through these hard moments; as I have with many of them. I'm so thankful for all of you that feed into my life and keep my head above the water. I am so thankful that I have friends that are willing to open up to me and let me know when they are hurting. Due to the fact that I am suffering from past wounds, current responsibilities, and future stresses, I feel as if I am failing as a friend to you all.

While it doesn't seem like I care or that I'm really around much, I promise that I'm here. I care. I love you. I want to be here for you. I do want to get coffee with you. I'm so sorry that I'm not enough for you all right now. Be patient with me and know that I'm rooting you all on from a distance.

Love,

Your Most (Distant) Caring Friend.