What to say

Short. True. Not cheesy.

Copy, paste, tweak. Send.

When someone lost a parent

Keep it short and true.

  • "I'm so sorry. I loved them too. I'm going to keep checking in — you don't have to write back."

  • "There is nothing right to say. I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you today."

  • "Sending you a real, non-metaphorical hug. I'll drop off dinner Thursday."

When someone has cancer

Show up steady, not sentimental.

  • "This is a lot. I'm here for as long as this takes. Tell me one small thing I can do this week."

  • "No need to reply. Just wanted to say I'm in your corner and I'm not going anywhere."

  • "Sending you groceries on Monday. Text me if there's anything specific you want."

When someone had a miscarriage

Name the loss. Don't try to fix it.

  • "I'm so sorry. This was real, and I'm holding it with you. No pressure to talk."

  • "Thinking of you today. There's no timeline for this and no right way to feel."

  • "I love you. I'm here for the hard days and the fine days both."

When you don't know what to say

Say that. It's better than a cliché.

  • "I don't have the right words, but I didn't want to say nothing. I love you."

  • "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry. I'm here whenever, however."

  • "There's nothing I can say to make this easier. I just want you to know I'm thinking of you."

When you want to say 'no need to reply'

Give them permission not to perform.

  • "Sending this with zero expectation of a response. Just wanted you to feel loved today."

  • "Truly no reply needed. Just here. Always."

  • "Read this later or never. Just know I'm thinking of you."

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