"I Can't Believe" Cards

Okay, the news is out and you know you're the first or the only person who fires off a quick "Good Luck" or "Get Well" card to someone near and dear to you when you hear of their breakup, loss, or diagnosis. What are you saying, though? Words mean a lot at critical times, and card makers play the emotions very well at one level but they do so slowly and leave a lot to interpretation. In today's culture the word is out before the tests are in, the replays run before the end of the down, and your recently departed love could be in her second week of negotiations for a broadcast show appearance before the blood is cold. The old standby phrases (Sorry to hear of your loss) (We're here if you need us), etc., don't have nearly the impact of targeted statements such as (Everyone saying you have cancer don't make it so), (Breakups suck, so no matter what the office crowd says, I'm betting the other side of the story), or (News is written at the eight grade level, so I'm not buying the story until a Realtor puts your house on the market).

These could be as broad "Congratulations -- I'll forever hold my piece" or as narrow "So You're Stricken -- give in and have the year of tests" as is needful to convey the sentiment you intend. You'll never again be thought of as one who waited to hear the story firsthand.