Why it's important to write your own words in a get well card

It can be hard to know what to write on a get well card, especially if someone is undergoing a long illness.  Normally, we send a get well card when we first hear news of someone being unwell.  It's natural to want to send greeting cards and words of love and support at this time, but as an illness gets drawn out, we can be at a loss to know how to continue with our encouragement.

  It all rests of course with our ties to the one we're thinking of.  They will know how sincere we are in our words, and greetings taken from other sources always need to be made personal.

There are a whole heap of sources where to find words to include in cards, and letters.  Sometimes our own words may seem inadequate, but truthfully, words from our heart are usually the most genuine, and certainly the best to offer at times of illness.

Don't be concerned that your ability to put some words together is less than perfect.  It's much more important to receive a card with a  personal message than one that is pre-printed and off the shelf.

It's easy to put so much emphasis on what to say that we forget that the words are all tied up in the way we offer them.  By that I mean, how we actually share these words verbally with our sick friend or family member.

Think about it.  In giving a card we usually also re-iterate the thoughts it contains.  We often talk about what we wrote, and re-affirm our feelings for their recovery.  Not only do they read the words, they hear a similar version spoken. These two together confirm in their minds the level of the thoughts that you put into the card writing and giving.  If the sincerity of the words written and the words spoken don't match up, then something's wrong.

Choosing what to write, or getting verse inspiration from other sources may get us out of writing something ourselves. But is that really what matters here?

It's important - if you choose them, to match your selection of words or verse with your intent of what you want it say. Bear in mind your relationship to the recipient. 

Do the words sit comfortably with you? Are they words that they would expect to hear from you?
Is the message uplifting?
Is it from a text that they would welcome?
Does it say the right thing?

Think of them and what would make them feel loved and appreciated after all.  It's far less important that you are impressed with the text!  Remember, they are likely to read and re-read your card many times so be careful in the words you choose.

In this way, knowing what to write in a get well card will so much easier, and genuine. 

Written by Geraldine Jozefiak
Craft Expert and Demonstrator

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