It can be hard to know what to write in a get well card,
especially if someone is undergoing a long illness.
Normally, we send a card when we first hear news of someone
being unwell. It's natural to want to send greetings and
words of love and support at this time, but as an illness
gets drawn out, we can be at a loss to know how to continue
with our encouragement.
It all rests of course with our ties to the one we're
thinking of. They will know how sincere we are in our
words, and greetings taken from other sources always need
to be made personal.
There are a whole heap of places to find words to include
in cards, and letters. Sometimes our own words may seem
inadequate, but truthfully, words from our heart are
usually the most genuine, and certainly the best to offer
at times of illness.
Don't be concerned that your ability to put some words
together is less than perfect. It's much more important to
receive a card with a personal message than one that is
pre-printed and off the shelf.
It's easy to put so much emphasis on what to say that we
forget that the words are all tied up in the way we offer
them. By that I mean, how we actually share these words
verbally with our sick friend or family member.
Think about it. In giving a card we usually also
re-iterate the thoughts it contains. We often talk about
what we wrote, and re-affirm our feelings for their
recovery. Not only do they read the words, they hear a
similar version spoken. These two together confirm in their
minds the level of the thoughts that you put into the card
writing and giving. If the sincerity of the words written
and the words spoken don't match up, then something is
wrong.
Choosing a verse, or a message from other sources may get
us out of writing something ourselves. But is that really
what matters here? Would your sick friend or family member
prefer to hear someone else's words, or would they rather
hear your words. Because be in no doubt, as they read your
words, they will hear them too, imagining you saying them.
It's not an easy option writing something from the heart
and with genuine emotion, often because we are so used to
platitudes. It's the done thing to send love, best wishes,
hopes for a speedy recover. Far more powerful are words
that almost lay us bare, emotionally. No it's not easy to
say:
When I heard you were sick I sat and thought how much you
meant to me I'm sending you my love and energy to be with
you as you recover I am here for you, as you have always
been for me
It takes strength to open your heart to another because it
makes us vulnerable. But this is just the time to do it,
because a loved one of ours needs to know that they aren't
alone. It's not easy but it is, as my Father would have
said character forming. It's times of honest card writing
when we have the opportunity to show how we care. But few
of us it seems are up for it.
Yes, it's easier to look for a verse to do the business for
us. And if that is your route match your selection of
words or verse with your intent of what you want it say.
Bear in mind your relationship to the recipient.
Do the words sit comfortably with you? Are they words that
they would expect to hear from you? Is the message
uplifting? Is it from a text that they would welcome? Does
it say the right thing?
Think of them and what would make them feel loved and
appreciated after all. It's far less important that you
are impressed with the text! Remember, they are likely to
read and re-read your card many times so be careful in the
words you choose and let them match the message you feel
unable to write yourself.
----------------------------------------------------
Geraldine Jozefiak makes sending and making greeting cards
easy. Save yourself all that finger walking or bricks and
mortar trawling and select from the ton of electronic
greeting cards and snail mail options. Greeting Card Guide
gives you masses of ways to make your greeting card
selection as quick, fun and painless as possible
http://greetingcardguide.com
No comments:
Post a Comment