Writing to someone who is unwell

When someone is ill, the urge is to say something that helps. Usually nothing will. What helps is being there in the smallest possible way.

Keep it unhurried. 'No need to rush, take one day at a time' gives permission to rest, which is often the most useful thing a card can do.

Avoid deadlines like 'get better soon' if the road is long. Warmth works better than optimism: 'you are in my thoughts' asks nothing back.

A card is also the right shape for this. They can read it in bed, on a good hour, in their own time, and keep it on the table as proof that someone is thinking of them.