We've been going through a pretty emotional time in my family as of late. We've had a few deaths of people very close to us, a tragic death of a neighbour, a serious medical situation of a family member, as well as an extremely dangerous illness of a close friends child. A lot to process. I have had to make more sympathy/thinking of you cards in the last 3 months than I have in the last 3 years. They are the hardest ones to make in my opinion. Your heart is hurting, you may have tears and creative inspiration is hiding beneath. My new plan is to always have a few cards handy for such a time as this. I kept all the cards I received from when my Grandma passed away and they still touch my heart that people cared enough to reach out during my saddest time. A handmade card, to me says, "I'm really thinking of you. I could have stopped at the store but instead I reached into my heart and created something to give you small comfort." You may not have the words to express your sorrow and empathy, but when it's handmade I believe the recipient notes the emotion that went into it.
As I was making yet another one of these cards, and thinking about this blog post, I began to think of those who have lost someone, and a month or two has passed people have moved on. The phone calls are fewer, the flowers have long since been tossed the food people have brought has been eaten. Life has marched on. But for the closest loved ones left behind, time is on hold. You know days are passing but the hole in your life remains the same. I decided today that thinking of you cards aren't just meant for immediately following. Perhaps we should mark down on our calendars every few months to send a card off to that person. Perhaps it will bring them comfort that people are still caring, and understanding that grief isn't quick to heal. So I will make a few more of these today. Send them off in the mail and hopefully bring a little kindness into someones day.
