Thank you! Yes, CB, the chalks are found with the rubber stamps, at least in any craft or stamp store I've been in. They really aren't complicated, at least, once you figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it. Really, the easiest one was the Thoughts and Prayers card. Cut the card stock, lay the template over it, swipe the inked sponge across the template onto the card stock, re-position the template, repeat. Cut whatever shape you want to the size you want for the verse, stamp it, and you are finished! Hmmmmm, sky, torn paper snow, snowman stamp...... Gee, the ideas flow a LOT better when you don't have a headache! It finally went away, but it got worse before that. I finally "rested" in my chair for about 15 minutes, not really sleeping, but not awake, either. I really need to think of something simple for the exchange, because I'd rather do postcards than full cards for cheaper postage. Which means nothing fancy with lots of layers to get caught in the machinery at the post office. Tami

I also try to write good letters of sympathy, not printed greeting cards. I don't believe etiquette requires replies to letters of sympathy. I am very big on thank you notes. When my father died, I wrote to everyone who sent food or flowers or made a charitable donation or helped in any way, but not to those who sent cards or letters. If someone wrote something that especially touched me, I mentioned it the next time I happened to be talking or writing to them. You wrote, "I try to express sincere feelings that will extend not only sympathy but also some hope." I'm not sure what you mean by "extending hope," and I am certain that you mean well. But be very careful. It is always a bad idea to tell people how to feel, including trying to make people see some good in something they are grieving over. They need to be sad for a while; don't rush to cheer them up or try to make them see a silver lining, even hope. I'd be especially careful not to say anything like "they are in a better place now" or "you will see them again someday" unless you are absolutely 100% positive that the recipient believes that -- and even then, I wouldn't risk it, as this may be a moment of doubt that they need to have. Don't say that the deceased is better off now or that it's good that they aren't suffering or anything like that (the one or two I got like that -- my dad died of Alzheimer's -- far from being comforting or "hopeful," really infuriated me). Don't say that you know that things seem sad now but that you know that the sun will soon shine again; it's demeaning of their loss. Really, it's presumptuous for any of us to act as though we have any special insight into death or grief to share; it's the same mystery for all of us. Just convey your sympathy -- not your understanding (i.e., don't tell them you "know how they feel" -- you don't) -- and let them know you care and are thinking of them. That means a great deal. We cannot change our friends' sorrow, but we can be there so they aren't alone through it. I think the best sympathy notes are the ones that say something nice about the deceased, especially a nice memory or some character trait you admired. "I always smile when I remember the time your dad helped us build that tree house"; "Whenever I hear the word 'integrity,' I think of Sharon." You can even kind of do that if you didn't know the deceased: "Although I did not know your father, I am sure that he was very proud of you and your brother and your accomplishments"; "I didn't know your mother well, but I wish I had; she sounds like a remarkable woman." I know I treasured those.

My DS had two 'best friends' from early grammar school on. Coins were flipped to determine who would be 'best man' at each one's wedding. One of these 'boys' died suddenly in late summer two years ago, leaving a widow and two children under 10. When I wrote to his parents, who live some distance from us, I spoke of the close connection and of the major (positive) role they and their son held in our lives. I also sent a card that Thanksgiving and at Christmas. (We don't 'do' cards in general.) Our DS traveled to their home in advance of the funeral and has kept in touch. I had never met this young man's wife, nor his children. To them, I sent a card with just a few lines of sympathy. We asked to be notified when a fund was set up for the family, expecting to contribute generously. Eventually, his parents responded that they'd unexpectedly discovered that their son had a large insurance policy -- no help needed beyond our continuing friendship. They were great parents, and he was a fine person. I would only go this far towards someone I had known and liked very well for some time.

"You have to be able to love members of your own species before you can branch out and apply that to other species. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas" I like all her quotes, the one above made really an impression.