Asking is good.
“How are things with you?”
Actually listening to the answer is even better, and not a little scary sometimes. If you’re curious and truly listen, you don’t know what you’re going to hear. But you’re not on the hook for fixing everything.
You’re don’t even have to agree with everything.
You can just listen.
That’s a gift to someone who needs to be heard. You can be a salve for somebody, even where there’s no solution to be found.
Perhaps you can’t fix it, but can you show some care?
Kindly, keep going.