history: My wife is out of the country for school.  She was having a really bad day the other day and I couldn't really do anything to help.
current: My wife is out of the country for school, and the other day she was having a really bad day.  I couldn't really do anything to help, and it made me feel bad.
next: I'm so sorry.  I know you must've felt helpless but coming from a wife's perspective; I would know my husband couldn't be right next to me but his words and love make all the difference. 