Comments on: The Art of Letter Writing: The Sympathy Note http://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/ Men's Interests and Lifestyle Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:08:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michaelhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-74514 Michael Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:55:26 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-74514 Could I just say thank you to all of you at AoM? You've done a significant job in changing my life, and growing up without a father figure, you've all certainly done a marvelous job teaching me the ins and outs of manhood.Thank you, and I respect this work so very much. It's always been my dream to help people just like you all do. That you've lost your own flesh and blood and can still continue living so optimistically and selflessly really touches me in so many ways. I've been blessed to stroll upon these pages of manliness. Could I just say thank you to all of you at AoM? You’ve done a significant job in changing my life, and growing up without a father figure, you’ve all certainly done a marvelous job teaching me the ins and outs of manhood.

Thank you, and I respect this work so very much. It’s always been my dream to help people just like you all do. That you’ve lost your own flesh and blood and can still continue living so optimistically and selflessly really touches me in so many ways. I’ve been blessed to stroll upon these pages of manliness.

]]> By: Nathanhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-63734 Nathan Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:13:43 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-63734 Honestly I have never had to write a sympathy letter yet, but when writing any letter I often refer to Abraham Lincoln for a little inspiration. He had an amazing way with words and used the English language beautifully. Honestly I have never had to write a sympathy letter yet, but when writing any letter I often refer to Abraham Lincoln for a little inspiration. He had an amazing way with words and used the English language beautifully.

]]> By: Dianehttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-52802 Diane Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:29:31 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-52802 To JonathanL, A hallmark of a sympathy note is to let someone know you are thinking of them in their time of sadness. Frankly, someone suffering a severe loss doesn't care what your beliefs are. Speak of the truth. Tell them that you have wonderful memories of their loved one, or that you will carry the memory of their loved one in your heart forever. These are the first two examples that come to mind. It's not about your religious beliefs or lack thereof, it's about showing that you care. Also - don't buy a pre-printed card - write a letter! To JonathanL,
A hallmark of a sympathy note is to let someone know you are thinking of them in their time of sadness. Frankly, someone suffering a severe loss doesn’t care what your beliefs are. Speak of the truth. Tell them that you have wonderful memories of their loved one, or that you will carry the memory of their loved one in your heart forever. These are the first two examples that come to mind. It’s not about your religious beliefs or lack thereof, it’s about showing that you care.
Also – don’t buy a pre-printed card – write a letter!

]]> By: gift certificate guyhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-51661 gift certificate guy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:21:05 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-51661 this is amazing advice, ive had stuff like this happen yet... ive no idea what to say or do i wish i would have come across this sooner this is amazing advice, ive had stuff like this happen yet… ive no idea what to say or do i wish i would have come across this sooner

]]> By: Mr. Pickwickhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-51040 Mr. Pickwick Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:28:34 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-51040 Nothing expresses emotions more sincerely then with the simplicity of a pen and a wee piece of paper. Nothing expresses emotions more sincerely then with the simplicity of a pen and a wee piece of paper.

]]> By: Ashley Cammhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-49083 Ashley Camm Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:02:56 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-49083 Brett,We too lost a child a few years ago. He would have been 18 this year. It's still hard, but some of the sympathy cards we recieved we will display forever, because of the thought and love people put into them. We miss him every day, but a well written sympathy card can mean the world to you when you're feeling so raw.This article covers an important and neglected area of the human drama, thanks.AC Brett,

We too lost a child a few years ago. He would have been 18 this year. It’s still hard, but some of the sympathy cards we recieved we will display forever, because of the thought and love people put into them. We miss him every day, but a well written sympathy card can mean the world to you when you’re feeling so raw.

This article covers an important and neglected area of the human drama, thanks.

AC

]]> By: Beowulf87http://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47810 Beowulf87 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:37:51 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47810 I am so sorry about your baby. Bravo to you for getting through it like a man.Spencer I am so sorry about your baby. Bravo to you for getting through it like a man.

Spencer

]]> By: Justinhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47783 Justin Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:02:58 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47783 Class! Class!

]]> By: Peter O'Reillyhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47727 Peter O'Reilly Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:36:24 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47727 Wow. This was a great article. Its always difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving and this really helps a lot. Wow. This was a great article. Its always difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving and this really helps a lot.

]]> By: JonathanLhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47720 JonathanL Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:55:27 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47720 Question - when most people offer to keep someone in their prayers, i find myself, an agnostic, with few options. i can say they're in my thoughts, but it seems to pale compared to someone who is praying to their God for someone else. it seems sincerity is a hallmark of the sympathy card, and i can't tell someone who knows i'm agnostic that i will pray for them. thoughts? Question – when most people offer to keep someone in their prayers, i find myself, an agnostic, with few options. i can say they’re in my thoughts, but it seems to pale compared to someone who is praying to their God for someone else. it seems sincerity is a hallmark of the sympathy card, and i can’t tell someone who knows i’m agnostic that i will pray for them. thoughts?

]]> By: Willhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47719 Will Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:53:56 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47719 Yes, Brett, I had no idea -- and now that I'm a father, I can imagine (but only imagine, fortunately) how it must have stopped your world dead. I'm so sorry to hear that.I've never written a sympathy note (before), but I'll take this to heart. Yes, Brett, I had no idea — and now that I’m a father, I can imagine (but only imagine, fortunately) how it must have stopped your world dead. I’m so sorry to hear that.

I’ve never written a sympathy note (before), but I’ll take this to heart.

]]> By: Pat McNallyhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47706 Pat McNally Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:09:17 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47706 Dear McCays, I am a funeral director and the editor of The Daily Undertaker blog, and this is some of the best advice I've read. I've shared your list and placed a link to the story on my site. Keep up the good work. Dear McCays,
I am a funeral director and the editor of The Daily Undertaker blog, and this is some of the best advice I’ve read. I’ve shared your list and placed a link to the story on my site.
Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Bob Igerhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47686 Bob Iger Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:23:29 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47686 I've written sympathy notes in the past to people who needed it, so I'm not stranger to this concept. It's nice to see that the idea is not considered outdated yet.Also, Brett, I never realized you and your wife Kate had to cope with this loss. If you need a talk, there's a whole community to give you guidance when needed. I’ve written sympathy notes in the past to people who needed it, so I’m not stranger to this concept. It’s nice to see that the idea is not considered outdated yet.

Also, Brett, I never realized you and your wife Kate had to cope with this loss. If you need a talk, there’s a whole community to give you guidance when needed.

]]> By: Shawnhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47646 Shawn Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:05:45 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47646 Brett,I am sorry to hear of your loss, please pass along my condolances to your wife. Thank-you so much for this post, I have struggled with writing sympathy letters for years, and your thoughts and insights have given me many ideas.Shawn Brett,

I am sorry to hear of your loss, please pass along my condolances to your wife. Thank-you so much for this post, I have struggled with writing sympathy letters for years, and your thoughts and insights have given me many ideas.

Shawn

]]> By: danhttp://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/18/the-art-of-letter-writing-the-sympathy-note/#comment-47627 dan Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:32:22 +0000 http://artofmanliness.com/?p=4840#comment-47627 Great article. Sympathy letters are easily some of the hardest letters to write. Thanks for the excellent advice on how to write them well. Great article. Sympathy letters are easily some of the hardest letters to write. Thanks for the excellent advice on how to write them well.

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