Expressions of solidarity

Even the most talkative and eloquent among us are often short of words when it comes to helping people deal with the death of someone close to them. We wish to express our sympathy, our sharing of their feelings, but we do not know how. Words can be comforting, but they are fleeting. So we turn to more tangible expressions of sympathy.

Sympathy gifts come in many forms. A card with a message of thought is often the first thing I tried. There is an astonishing range of choices to make when selecting a card. The natural inclination is often to choose a card that reflects the beliefs of the donor rather than focusing on those victims. Some sympathy cards contain short generic messages and are appropriate for acquaintances such as colleagues with whom you do not have a close personal relationship. Other cards reflect religious or spiritual themes, which may result in great comfort at this difficult time. The last type of paper emphasizes the friendship between the donor and recipient. These cards provide the receiver that a true friend will be ready to provide support in every way possible.

We must not underestimate the long-term impacts will have on a sympathy gift recipient. This point was driven home to me when I gave a plant to a colleague. (It was spring and I have been recently transplanted rooted baby spider to share with friends and acquaintances.) The next day he told me that he cried when he brought home and put it on his desk.

It was discovered that his father had died many years ago. At that time, someone gave her a plant as a sympathy gift. Looking at the plant grows and began with their lives over the years always comforted remembering his energy and enthusiasm for life her father had displayed. Without this gift giver has no idea of the strength of simple condolence gift - that would console her for years?

Unbeknownst to me, a couple of weeks before I offered her a new small system, his old man was dead and she had to have it. It 'shocked to see his empty place on the table every day. He said that when he brought home my system and put in its place, it was so that life and energy back once again to remember her in a positive way of his father.

Although it may be difficult to express our sympathy at times, we should all take comfort in knowing that the actions we do and we give sympathy tokens are gifts that truly comfort the hearts and souls of the recipients.