20 sincere sympathy card sentiments to comfort those who grieve

 

What does one say to a grieving colleague, friend or loved one, when words seem to fail?

 How can a person find the right words to write in a sympathy card? Sometimes the simplest words are the most difficult to find, especially when it comes to comforting those who mourn the death of a loved one.

 

20 comforting statements for sympathy cards

 Here are 20 tender and true phrasings that caring folks might include in sympathy card notes for those who are grieving a loved one's loss. Some of these words of sympathy include statements of faith, while others are simply comments of personal compassion.

 Following this list are a dozen funereal faux pas comments that are best avoided, when addressing thse who are in grief. 

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

1. “I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of _____.”
2. “I’m praying for you.”
3. “I’m thinking of you during this difficult and sad time.”
4. “In loving memory of ______. We will all miss him dearly.”
5. “Love and sympathies to you and your family.”
6. “May fond memories of _______ bring you comfort, even as you face these dark days.”
7. “May God bless you and keep you in his care, now and in the days to come.”
8. “May God comfort you with His peace and strength.”
9. “May the love of family and friends sustain you in these difficult days.”
10. “Our heartfelt condolences.”
11. “Our hearts go out to you in your time of grief.”
12. “Please accept my sincere sympathies.”
13. “Please know that we are here from you, sending our love.”
14. “Praying for you in fondness and friendship, particularly at this sad time.”
15. “Sharing your sorrow, as we fondly recall our dear friend ________.”
16. “We cannot begin to understand what you must be going through right now, but we send our love, and we promise to pray for your entire family.”
17. “With love and fond memories of ________.”
18. “With sincere sympathy.”
19. “Words fail to express our sadness at the death of ________.”
20. “You are in my thoughts.”

 

These expressions of sympathy may also be appropriate for comments posted on social networking environments (online) or in email messages, although actual hand-written notes may be most memorable and meaningful for grieving recipients.

12 well-intended statements to avoid at all costs

 Of course, certain overused phrases and well-meaning, but inappropriate, statements are to be absolutely avoided in sympathy cards. Here are a dozen toxic examples of these potentially tacky and damaging statements.

1. “At least, she is no longer suffering.”
2. “Death and taxes are certain.”
3. “Feel better fast.”
4. “He lived a full life.”
5. “His health went downhill so fast.”
6. “I know just how you feel.”
7. “It was just his time.”
8. “It was worse when my dad died.”
9. “Perhaps his death was a blessing, after all.”
10. “Time heals all wounds.”
11. “You will get over it eventually.”
12. “You’ll find someone else.”

 

Still at a loss for words for a condolence card for a grieving friend, coworker or other contact?

 Browse through the sympathy card rack at a local greeting card store, and read what card makers have written. Pick the phrasings that seem most appropriate for the particular situation, and tailor the wordings to make them your own.

 The most important concern, of course, is to follow through and actually send a sincere note or card to those who are grieving. Often, a telephone call or in-person call offers even more comfort and encouragement to a dear one who is in grief.

Image/s: Public domain

 

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12 Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

 

Have These Items On-Hand for Drop-Ins and Surprise Givers!

 Your holiday shopping is complete – or so you thought. Then you realize you overlooked someone on your list. Or a friend or colleague shows up with a surprise gift.

 Oops!

 Who hasn’t faced this dilemma, particularly during the holidays? What can you do, when someone offers you a present, and you find yourself unprepared to reciprocate? If you are clever (and well-stocked), you can simply put on your best elfin smile and offer a clever present in return.

 Here’s how to make this work.

 

Have extras on hand!

 Here’s a little secret, if you promise not to tell my family and friends. I have an entire dresser drawer in my basement, filled with practical and useful gifts. Next to that, I keep a supply of gift wrap, decorative sacks, ribbons, and bows. In other words, I can be ready-to-gift at a moment’s notice, especially during the holiday season.

 

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

 

Often, when I find a clever and universally useful item, I will pick up a few sets. Bargain-hunters may be pleased to gather gift possibilities when great deals are available.

 

Here are a dozen ready-to-gift items you might keep on hand:

 

1. Who ever has enough picture frames? If you are really clever, you can slip a special photo into the frame, right before you wrap it. Do you have digital photos of the recipient on your computer? Got a recent photo in an album or drawer? Put it in the frame, and you will have a wonderful personalized gift.
2. Nothing spells thoughtfulness more than home-baked goods. Perhaps, during the holidays, you make special breads, bars, cookies, or other delights in your kitchen. Why not package up a few extra sets and set them aside for surprise visitors, who are sure to call!
3. Gourmet foods make delicious holidays gifts for nearly anyone. Jams, nuts, cheese trays, and even salamis are welcome gifts. Popcorn tins are also popular picks.
4. Scented candles in lovely colors can be perfect last-minute gifts. Choose jar candles, ceramic ones, or even fancy tapers. Purchase these in bulk, and sort them into pretty bundles, tied with festive ribbon or raffia.
5. Do you love to knit or crochet? Maybe you can create a few fun winter scarves or mittens for holiday giving. Hey, if you don’t give them away, after all, you will have a wonderful warm wardrobe after the holidays!
6. Can you sew? Home-sewn creations are most memorable gifts. Buy several economy white pillowcases, and embellish them with machine embroidery or store-bought trims. How about making holiday pillowcases for gifts?
7. Or, cut squares of holiday calico fabric, and finish the edges to make festive cloth napkins. These also make handy basket liners for baked goods.
8. Soaps and special bath products make excellent treats for most folks. Purchase these when you find good values, and you will always be ready for gifting!
9. Candy assortments are sure-fire winning gifts, even at a moment’s notice. Elegant confections can suit nearly anyone!
10. Holiday tree ornaments are in all the stores, from Halloween on. You might pick up a few of these, along with an assortment of small gift bags and tissue paper. Voila! A festive present is ready to go!
11. Along similar lines, you can find holiday music CDs everywhere. Pardon the expression, but you can often purchase these for just a song. Pick several different styles (classical, jazz, kids, rock, and others), and you will have a gift for just about anyone.
12. Of course, writing papers and note cards also make wonderful gifts. After all, doesn’t everyone need to write thank-you notes after the holidays?

 

Plan ahead for last-minute giving.

 After Christmas, when retailers slash prices on holiday items to nearly nothing, you can stock up for next year. Santa never had it so good. Snatch up a variety of non-perishable, somewhat generic gift items, and you will be ready for next year’s surprise recipients. Besides, you might even find presents for folks who are actually on your gift list.

 Where will you store these advance gifts? Here’s a tip: Wrap them carefully, and pack them with your holiday decorations. When you haul out your festive adornments next year, you will find your brand-new gifts, all ready to go!

Image/s: Public domain artwork

 

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2021 goals: Personal and professional

 

I’m not making any New Year’s resolutions for 2021. (I shudder at the thought.)

New Year’s resolutions, popular though they be, seem to be nearly impossible to achieve. Look at the blogosphere, for example. Posts abound, as the New Year approaches, with folks declaring lofty intentions for improved physical fitness, healthier diets, career advancement, financial independence, and more.

People polish resumes, as the calendar turns to a new year. Gyms announce new classes, expecting increased memberships with January’s arrival. Banks trumpet new account offerings. Nutritionists and fitness trainers sign on new clients. Career counselors book new appointments.

Countless individuals seem enjoy a boost in personal motivation and energy (at least mental energy), as the New Year begins.

Sounds great, right?

 

But wait …

How many people come back to report their successful achievement of these ideals at the end of the year? How many stick with their New Year’s resolutions through the end of January?

OK, so I'm not doing New Year's resolutions.

 

Count me in for 2021 goals.

Goals vs. resolutions. Am I mincing words here?

Not at all. I think it’s important to outline some specific, tangible, potentially achievable objectives for the coming year. I’m not promising to lose 50 pounds, become a corporate CEO or bestselling author, or win a global award. (Gee, no kidding!) But I am setting out some clear commitments that I believe are worth declaring for the sake of personal and/or professional enrichment. (I’d contend that personal and professional enrichment are closely linked.)

Motivational gurus love to talk about SMART goals. That’s an acronym:

• Specific – Can I define the goal clearly?
• Measurable – Can I evaluate my progress towards that goal? And will I know when I get there?
• Achievable – Is the goal even possible for me at this point?
• Relevant – Does the goal fit my life (i.e., my values, talents, gifts, objectives)?
• Time-based – Does the goal have a reasonable and well-defined time frame?

In the past, some of my New Year goals (not all in the same year) have included changing jobs, running a marathon, writing a book for publication, reading through the entire Bible, and running the year in miles.

 

Here we go.

1. Read 50+ books. That’s just shy of one book per month. As a writer and reviewer, it’s probably the least I can do. You can read more about this goal here, if you wish.
2. Run 2,021+ miles. Join me, if you want, for this year-long virtual running challenge.
3. Sort, scan and shred at least one family photo album per month to cut clutter. This will diminish our collection by a dozen, while digitizing the images for future generations. Hey, it’s a start.
4. Exercise for 30+ minutes at least five times each week. Hopefully, this will include cross-training to go with the running.
5. Schedule and show up for a couple of long-postponed routine medical tests. Don’t ask. Let’s just say I’ve used the 2020 pandemic as a worthy excuse for putting these semi-elective appointments off.
6. Write and send at least one non-agenda note per month. These correspondences do not include thank-you notes, appointment confirmations, favor requests, meeting recaps, FYIs, or even holiday greetings. These are simply social interactions in writing to communicate affirmations, encouragements, and personal interactions. Forms may include electronic and actual paper.
7. Pare down my portfolio. At this point in my own career, I probably don’t need multiple copies of every corporate annual report, product launch packet, executive speech, company newspaper, and other publication I’ve done. It’s time to fill the recycle bin, rather than my own shelf.
8. Reconnect personally with at least one friend/colleague per month. I’m not talking about those I see regularly. These would be deliberate reunions with those I’ve intended to see for a year or more. If the world reopens, we can have in-person meet-ups. Otherwise, I’ll aim for virtual get-togethers.
   

Also, I am reserving the right to add goals as the year progresses, if that seems appropriate.

Looming in my head are several more nebulous, unmeasurable ideals. I want to cultivate genuine gratitude in each day, choose more appropriate language (especially in what we might call heated moments), and develop improved personal stress management. I’d like to raise my daily water intake and cut my consumption of simple carbs and sugars. Those efforts are harder to quantify, but they’re no less real.

 

What goals have you set for yourself in the coming year?

Vision boards and goal charts may help plenty of people, but I’m simply listing my objectives for the year. I’m not bothering with stickers or tokens or treats.

Also, my roster is not aimed at begging for accolades or attaching goal guilt to anyone. I’m posting it publicly to make myself accountable. I need that.

Welcome, 2,021. Ready, set, go!

 

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