About SimpleSympathy.com

& Why I Created This Site

Most websites that have to do with grief and loss are made for the grieving and have a section for the friends and family of the bereaved who are looking for some ways they can help.

expressing-sympathy Simple Sympathy is the other way around. This site is for you, when you are looking for ways to help somebody who is hurting. Whether you need some ideas for what to write in a sympathy card or if you are trying to be the support for somebody who is hurting.

Simple Sympathy is about having the right response, not the right answers. Trying to have all the right answers and explanations will actually cause you to have a very difficult time expressing sympathy.

This is the beautiful thing about Simple Sympathy- it helps us to be supportive and to respond appropriately to grief.

sim.ple-
not elaborate or artificial; plain, not complicated, not complex; mere, free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional, common or ordinary, not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious
sym.path.y-
the sharing of another's emotions, especially of sorrow or anguish; pity; compassion

Responding to grieving loved ones with understanding and support is more important than having the right answer. It is such a relief to know that you do not have to have all of the answers!

Why Did I Make a Website About How to Express Sympathy?

I wanted to make a website and be a work at home mom. I searched for the perfect topic. Something I wanted to spend a lot of time researching and writing about. Something that would make me a better person and that would help others. While I was looking for a great idea for a website, I was experiencing some unfortunate events in my life.

At this time in my life I was struggling in ministry as a pastor's wife. I had no idea what to do for hurting people and I was in a position where I am supposed to have the answers (or so I thought).

In my family, my Grandpa had just died from cancer. I didn't really know what to do for my family, especially my Grandmother. Shortly after that, two of my friends suffered miscarriages. I didn't know what to do or how to help.

I didn't send a card or anything. I did nothing. I wish that I had known about memorial jewelry back then.

Isn't funny how sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose?

Since starting Simple Sympathy in 2008 I have learned so much and it has been really rewarding to be able to help people with this.

I love designing cards and using my writing to create comforting messages.

I get to use my handmade paper cards to create my own printable cards and share them here
handmade-paper-card

I love meeting new people online and working together on projects.

Every now and then somebody will email me who is grieving and they are looking for help.

I do know of several great resources to point them too.

However, I am not a bereavement counselor nor do I have any type of grief training (if you are and want to contribute to Simple Sympathy let me know !)

Me, on the other hand, I relate more the the person who is just trying to not be insensitive or unsupportive.

I relate to the clueless person who puts their foot in their mouth.

I understand the person who feels guilty because they wish they could or would do more, but just don't know where to begin.

It helps me so much to know that I don't have to have all the answers.