How to make amends?

[Cupcake Fiend]

I feel awful about something I said to a friend.

She confided something to me, and before I could turn on my filters, a very tactless joke escaped my lips.

Then, due to a combination of extreme embarrassment, sickness, and general busyness, I haven't spoken to her since, and it's been a few weeks. I did try calling a couple of times but she wasn't there.

What she needs at this point more than anything is support.

I completely blew it.  What do I do?

[ShadesOfGrey]

If you really want to apologize - get through to her. dont wait for her to call you back (is she avoiding your calls?) or for a message to get to her, now is the time to be proactive about contacting her (I assume she will want to talk to you again, she's just upset with you now or busy now). 

Send a card/letter of apology, and follow up with words of support for her situation. 

Once you've done that, though, there's not much else you can do if she doesnt want to continue the friendship.

[Cupcake Fiend]

I've tried calling a couple of times but get the answering machine & I haven't left messages.  I'm bad on the phone in the best of circumstances and this is definitely not the best of circumstances.

But I definitely need to apologize.

[twinkletoes]

Screw up your courage and talk to her on the phone.  Write down what you want to say beforehand, but just don't *sound* like you're reading from a script.

If not, then write and send an email or letter to her asap.