Shakespeare buck condolence card

This beautiful card came in from a dear pen pal, condolences on my grandfather's death this summer. I link the post about his death here because the photo I used in it helped inspire this kind soul to choose this card, which is beyond perfect. You couldn't have chosen a more perfect card if you had known him.

The quotation by William Shakespeare reads:

His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world: "This was a man!"

It made me cry, but in a sweet, remembering sort of way.

Handmade condolence card

This lovely handmade condolence card came from a blog reader, now correspondent. It was really touching.

I am always impressed by handmade cards. You can't really see in this photo (how many times do I say that??) but the envelope is sort of opalescent.

Thank you for all the condolences

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.