May God Have Mercy

I have a friend who left a message on my phone 2 months ago. It was a very depressed message. But I didn't hear it until 2 days later, so I did not return the call until then. He did not answer, nor has he answered any following calls or emails. Now his phone is always off.

I am almost his only friend and definitely his closest friend. I've searched and all I've found to possibility learn of his fate is an address for his brother from a couple years ago. So I will send him a letter, then I will wait for some word hopefully. Does his brother even know anything about him? Needless to say, I'm feeling helpless.

Often depressed myself, I know the dark places it can take you, and I fear the worst. I am hoping he has merely run away. But he's done that to no avail before.

A girl broke his heart. I know what happens when a girl breaks your heart. I've been down that road. I've been down a road way too similar to his, but I have a large community to fall back on. He has only me, and I'm always far away. I've been climbing out of the hole. He's still sinking in.

I've done what I can to give him hope. I've walked with him where I could. I've helped him. He's told me so. I want to do more. What didn't I say that I should have? Where is the magic fix?

That's something that doesn't exist or I've never known. I know how deaf any words and actions can be at certain times, and I marvel how anyone gets through it. What could I have said?

Life is what it is, and I'll take it is as such. But it would be nice to see some divine intervention or something every once in a while, instead of a seemingly intentional absence.