Let the new year motivate you to connect with a Gold Star spouse, parent, sibling or extended family member!
One word that has popped up against the backdrop of the global pandemic and local lockdowns is:
Connection
Connection has always been important to us humans, but this pandemic has given it new expressions. Zoom calls, phone calls, FaceTime. Phone calls and FaceTime aren’t new, but we’re using them more in and more creative ways than we did before the pandemic. It’s also given us an awareness of the importance of connection. Are you feeling this?
Today I went for a walk with a friend. It was gorgeous outside. It seemed all the more gorgeous because two days ago we lost power for a few hours as a winter rainstorm surged through our area. We ended up walking for almost 2 hours, which was longer than either of us had planned.
Why did it take so long? We saw several acquaintances along the way that we hadn’t seen since the pandemic started and it was great to reconnect.
My friend brings dog treats in her pocket so she can give them to dogs she sees along the way. On a day like today, lots of dog owners were out with their four-legged critters. They all (the 4-legged ones) were delighted to meet my friend. In particular, an 8-month-old Corgie was thrilled to get treats from a stranger! Both of these things extended our walk time significantly, but in the most pleasant and important of ways. We made connections.
Many people lost loved ones last year due to Covid and other reasons. They experienced the deep disconnect that comes with that. Sending a 2MyHero military greeting card to a hurting friend is another way to make a connection in these trying times. An important connection.
Cards sent with words of encouragement mean so much, and are often read and reread by the receiver. If you knew the loved one who passed I can’t emphasize enough how special it is to those families to hear stories from you about their loved one. Did you follow that? Let me say it another way. So, if you send me a sympathy card and write inside about a story or memory of my mom who passed away it is a rich treasure to me.
There were people who spoke at my mom’s funeral and told lovely stories. Maybe because I’m not very audio, and more visual, it’s hard for me to remember the stories. Especially the details. But if those people had taken the time to write down those stories and memories I would have kept them. I would go back and reread them on days when I’m missing her more.
Finding the right card to send can be difficult. That is what makes the mixed pack so useful. Four different designs give you four options to find the right one to match the right person. The variety within the pack ranges from more traditional and formal messages, to modern style with simple messages.
Here are 2 ways to help you connect with someone who has recently (or even not recently) lost a military loved one:
1 – Through January 20, 2021 2MyHero sympathy mixed packs are on sale on Amazon and Etsy for 40% off.
What comes inside this mixed pack? Great question. 1 each of four different designs.
2 – While I can’t give you specific suggestions on what to write inside each card, I do want to give you a couple of ideas to help you get the writing juices flowing. Here are a few prompts to get you going:
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You’ve been on my mind. I wish we could meet in person, but since that’s not possible I am sending you hugs in this card. I want to share with you a (pick your adjective)
funny
favorite
poignant
touching
endearing
memory I have of _________. (Fill in the blank with the name of the loved one who has passed.)
*
Life holds both pain and joy. I understand you feel deeply about the loss of _________. I too have lost someone close to me. It’s a sadness that doesn’t go away. Some days it’s not as heavy as others, but it’s always there. If you ever want to talk (pick your situation)
over the phone
on a zoom call
via FaceTime
over a cup of coffee in the park
let’s do it! I would love to schedule some time to talk with you. I’ll call/text/email you to set up a time. (If you want to meet, offer to bring a thermos of coffee or tea to share together in a park, or wherever is appropriate.)
*
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Don’t let time slip away from you. The sale ends on January 20. While you’re making your list of who you want to contact and what memories you want to encourage them with, head over to Amazon or Etsy and pick up a mixed pack of sympathy cards before they’re gone.
Comment below about how 2MyHero military greeting cards, stickers, or Gold Star military sympathy greeting cards have helped you encourage and connect with your military loved one or with a Gold Star mom or dad!
Let me know how it made them feel and how it helped you stay connected with them. Of course, be mindful of OPSEC, and don’t give any specifics or details about your military member’s location or situation that would be potentially harmful to put out on the web.
You can find 2MyHero on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. I’d love to meet you in cyberland and learn more about what you need to help you stay connected with your military people. You can comment on current designs or give suggestions for specific occasions you’d like to see in the line.
For a more personal approach – connect through our Contact Page and leave your feedback on the cards. Several of the designs in the line have come from direct feedback I’ve received from customers.
2MyHero is a registered trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. www.uspto.gov