surviving

So I just got off the phone with a friend who I hadn't talked to in a while. And he said something that really caught me off guard. I asked him how he was doing and he said "yeah you know, alright I guess". My warm hearted and oh so thoughtful reply was "well I guess that's all you can ask for sometimes". (What the heck? Really?) His response was "No I don't think so". Is that really what I think? That merely surviving is ok? Have I become so calloused and jaded, that hurt and pain and struggles are the norm and all I can hope for??? I'm embarrassed at my response and lack of compassion but what a good kick in the stomach reminder of all that we DO have to hope for.