What do you do...

When someone comes to you with their problems, and there's nothing you can say to really comfort them? For me that happens all the time. Of course I'm there with a listening ear, no doubt, but I wish I could do more. I wish I could twist those emotions back to a happy state. I want to be that person who turns the cry into a smile. But all I can do is just sit there and listen, and say "I'm sorry, I hope things get better." It's not like I'm going to make up some false lies or comfort, and go into denial about whatever is happening. I'm not going to say, "YES, things WILL turn out better" because I don't know that--no one knows that. Sometimes, all that does is bring hopes up, only to later realize that those wishes won't be fulfilled. I wish I could do more, I really do. But for now, I guess the person just has to live with the satisfaction of getting everything off their chest by telling their story to me.