Monday, August 31, 2009

Thank you for all the condolences

Condolence card

It's taken me a while to work up to being able to make this post, but I think it's time now.

After I posted the sad news of my grandfather's death last month, the blog reader condolence cards poured in. I was truly overwhelmed. After I returned home from a week away to be with my family and attend his funeral, there were a ton of sincere sympathy wishes awaiting me, and they continued to pour in over the next weeks.

I have to thank everyone who sent their heartfelt wishes. They were touching and supportive in ways I can't even explain. A lot of people wrote that they didn't really know what to say but they wanted to say something - that's GREAT! I can now say, from the perspective of the bereaved, that those sympathy cards are a comfort and a blessing. If you're wondering whether or not you should write one to someone you know who has just suffered a loss - DO IT! The recipient will appreciate it so much. And I know I'm preaching to the choir here when I say that handwritten cards are so much more meaningful than emails.

The envelope above has a quote from Shakespeare that reads:
"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break."

The card itself reads:
"There is a theory that when the people with whom we are closest leave this world and go to their final reward, they become part of the little voice that helps to guide us in the choices we make and the paths we take. With these little voices, we create a link to the past and keep the memories of those we cherish alive in our hearts."

Thanks for hearing me out and helping to give me an outlet for my grief, dear readers.