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I ususally type the inside of my cards and print them off on the computer. I use different sayings, poems etc. I need some help with a sympathy card. This is for the family of a 14 year old boy that committed suicide last night. He was a genius. His IQ was off the charts. He went to some classes with my youngest daughter in high school, when he was 6. My other daughters went to school with his older sisters. We live in a small town, so everyone knew him. I am not sure of what to write. He lived an entire lifetime in 14 years. He had graduated from college and was persuing a music career. He never had had a chance to be a 'normal' kid. Any help with a poem or something would be appreciated.
What a sad story! I will keep that family in my prayers. Do you know if the family is religious or not? I have a need poem if they are. Let me know and I'll send it to you.
__________________ * Gail *
We must be the change we want to see in the world.
This sort of thing is ALWAYS so hard. I am sad ( for anyone really) that is boy was only 14 and had accomplished so much. His parents must have been so proud.
Just a thought:
"May the love of the Angel that brought your Son home to the Lord, also be with you in this time of Sorrow. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you."
As I finish typing this I wonder if this is even right?
That is so tragic! Finding just the right words for such a loss is always difficult. Have you gone to a site like www.quotegarden.com? My niece told me about it and I have found so many great items there. You may find just what you are looking for.
I usually pick a nice bible verse, either one I am familiar with or I look throught the SU! catalog and find one of the inspirational verses. If it is not for a religious family, maybe do a search on line. I found these sites: http://www.free-e-cards-online.com/S...ardVerses.html
How tragic. Just say what is in your heart. It shouldn't matter if the family is religious or not. I feel if you say what came from within yourself, that is all that should matter. I myself wouldn't want to read a card that said something I had read somewhere else. Just my opinion. GO WITH YOUR HEART. Good luck to you!
I have that Eskimo Legend saying on a stamp and have used it several times for sympathy cards. It works well in a simple, understated presentation. If I remember correctly I used some "watercolor" type background paper in blue and stamped both of the star images from the Stars and Swirls set in white or versamark ink (very subtle), layered the saying with matching blue cardstock and then added a star embellishment to the bottom right corner of the layered verse. This is from memory (and prior to the start of me photographing my cards before sending them out).
I always hand-write an original note of sympathy in my cards no matter who they go to. I think it makes the card more personal and touching to the person receiving the card. Even if you truly do not know what to say, a simple "I am so very sorry" or "I care" or "you are in my thoughts" makes quite the difference. I also try to add a line or two as far as a memory thought about the person who has died. That can be comforting to the family knowing others had fond memories of their loved one.
Here is a poem that I often use on sympathy cards. I usually print it on cardstock (with script centered) on the computer that I can then layer onto the front of a card. Then I insert my personal note inside.....
LIFE IS ETERNAL
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then some one at my side says,
"There! She's gone."
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when some one at my side says, "There! She's gone," there are other eyes watching her
coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There she comes"!
Here is a poem that I often use on sympathy cards. I usually print it on cardstock (with script centered) on the computer that I can then layer onto the front of a card. Then I insert my personal note inside.....
LIFE IS ETERNAL
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then some one at my side says,
"There! She's gone."
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when some one at my side says, "There! She's gone," there are other eyes watching her
coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There she comes"!
Wow what a tragic time for the entire community. I would also encourage your daughters to send their expressions of personal sympathy and memories to the family even if it is a memory of He was the smartest boy in first grade and could read better than the teacher. Your older daughter might want to address the sibling directly, I know you will miss your brother and I am here if you want to talk or let's get together for a pizza next month or something. It is important to teach the kids how to grieve and how to come together to heal as well. That there is no sense to make of this but that they can be together to mourn and be comforted.
Another kind thing would be to have a second card ready for next month or the month after for graduation, end of school year, his birthday if you know it, just to check in as the family is still reeling to say I am still thinking of you as you deal with your loss. That is when people start to "forget" about them and they need even more support.
When my 18 yr old neice was killed in an accident,someone sent this little poem and now I use it whenever I am doing a sympathy card....I don't know the author.
The road we're on is twisted Lord, the end defies the view.
Teach us to take each step in faith, and leave the rest to you...
Prayers to you and your community...Rebecca
__________________ "My Father is tougher than nails!" (heard on a Christian Radio station!)
I never quite know what to say in a sympathy card. These are all great poems and saying. Thank you for asking this question and for all the great responses.
So sorry to hear of this tragedy. Here is my favorite sympathy verse. Linda
BUTTERFLY
"A butterfly lights beside us
Like a sunbeam.
And for a brief moment
its glory and beauty
belong to our world.
But then it flies on again.
And though we wish
it could have stayed,
we feel so lucky
to have
seen it.�?
__________________ Linda Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. -Twyla Tharp
Need help with sympathy card
