Man's Greatest Pain

Man's greatest pain is not his own, but rather the helplessness he experiences when a loved one is in pain.  For it is then that true pain is felt--that sense of futility, ineptness, and helplessness.  If only man could bear the pain for that loved one; but he cannot.  If only he could control or lessen the extent of that pain, however small, then that would be worth it all.  But sometimes man cannot lessen the pain, and can only watch and suffer in pain with the one he loves.  But that one action could be man's greatest gift to that loved one; for in that moment, he expresses love.