Jane Hyde, Feb. 1, 1919 - June 15, 2011

My mom died Wednesday.  Thankfully, both her caregiver, Gabriela, and I were with her, so I won’t have to spend the rest of my life imagining her dying alone, wondering whether she was at peace, or whether she felt pain.

While my mother was in the hospital, later when she was receiving hospice care, and after her death I received many notes of sympathy.  Reading these reminded me of how much I struggle to write a satisfactory sympathy message when someone I care about loses a loved one.  Apparently I’m not alone.  The first link that came up when I did a Google search for “sympathy notes,” best card messages, said,  “Sympathy card messages can be the most difficult card messages to write.  The blank spot in the card can intimidate you and make it even more difficult to think of what to write.”

The creator of these opening lines is right.  I can produce 400 words on nearly any topic, as regular readers of this blog can attest, but I freeze when I have a pen in my hand, and the white spaces on the sympathy card resting below me are looking up daring me to fill them.  Usually anxious to be done with the task, I scribble off something hurriedly and close the envelope.  My messages are usually limited to: “I’m so sorry for your loss.”  Shameless lack of originality.  I’m so sorry for what you are going through.” A little better.  At least it acknowledges the existence of an emotion. “Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this difficult time.” Good advice, but often hard to follow.

Fortunately, I have friends who are more skillful at expressing their sentiments in writing than I.   Here are a few of my favorites:

There is just a feeling of helplessness that we can’t get past as we try to do the right thing and bring comfort to those who are dearest to us.  Donna

Were all the aged and declining parents to have a “child” like you it would be a wonderful place.  Sharon

I know this was a blessing amid the sorrow – just as it was with my Dad after his stroke.  Karen

As you work through this, try to focus on the happy times and wonderful memories of things you shared.  Jan S.

With the death of your mother, I hope that you can experience both the relief and assurance that you’ve cared for her well.  Sylvia

There are more examples than this to choose from. What characterizes all of them? A sense of genuineness, a personal connection, and the acknowledgement that while each of us experiences loss in different ways, people in my generation know what it feels like to lose a parent and are able to move quickly from sympathy to empathy — a good lesson for the future.