ENGLISH 23 345 > Happy Birthday Formal Email

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Writing Greeting Card Messages "What's so often missing from our lives today is the richness of shared humanity, those moments when we feel really connected to other human beings. The act of writin... g personal notes not only feeds our own soul, but also lets us share ourselves with others-- offering hope, affirming life, connecting." -- From Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion (St. Martin's Press), by Sandra E. Lamb Always add your own message to that of a greeting card, even when the printed verse on the card seems perfect. Your own words- - hand-written--make the message really personal, add your own voice, and help to make the connection you want when sending a message for a joyful occasion, or a sad one. When you're signing a greeting card being sent by the members of your book club, or your department at work, creating your personal message in your own "voice" is a bit harder. Connecting with the person you are writing to will be easier if you: 1) Focus on the person to whom you are writing, and your relationship to her/him. 2) Reflect on the occasion about which you are writing, and it's effect on the person you are writing to, or how she or he feels about it. These two steps create a circle of light in which you will be able to write. 3) Put yourself and how you feel about the person, the event, and the person's reaction to it into this circle. Now you simply have to connect the points of light, or thoughts, within the circle to write your message. Here are some typical occasions and events for which you may want to send a greeting card with your written message. These messages can help you get started. Get Well Holidays Birthdays New Year's Day Weddings Rosh Hashana Birth and Adoptions Hanukkah Welcome Christmas Kwanza Employee Leaving Retirement The first example is taken from Chapter 8 of How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You'll Ever Write Second Edition (Ten Speed Press). Get Well DECIDE TO WRITE Send a greeting card or personal note that includes a personal message of comfort, hope, and encouragement when . An accident or injury strikes a relative, friend, business associate, or neighbor . The relative of a friend, business associate, or colleague is ill or injured . Periodically during a long convalescence THINK ABOUT CONTENT . Write as soon as you hear and confirm the news. . First and foremost, think about offering encouragement. . Rely on your relationship with the recipient to dictate your message. . If possible, learn something about how the recipient views his or her situation before writing. . Focus on the recipient and don't misdirect your message toward your own feelings. . Express simply that you were sorry of hear about the accident or illness. . Make a statement about your concern. . Try to relieve any possible anxiety about things other than the recipient's recovery. . Keep the message sunny and upbeat. . Be short and concise. . Consider the religious preferences, ethnic mores, family wishes, and organizational customs of the recipient when writing your message, and don't include any conflicting ideologies you may embrace. . Make a specific offer of help, indicating when and how you will take the next step to carry out your offer. . Combine your message with a small gift of a book or an activity the recipient can enjoy while recuperating. . For the recovering child, build anticipation of an upcoming event at a time when he or she will be fully recovered, and include some kind of related activity for now. . If you send flowers or another gift, include a personal note. . Close on a warm and positive note. ELIMINATE WRONG MESSAGES . Don't moralize or include empty cliches or statements meant to be sympathetic. These can be off-target or easily misunderstood, as can such "silver lining" comments like, "At least you didn't...," or, "It could have been much worse." . Be sure to omit any hint of pity. . This isn't the time to offer unsolicited advice. Think only of offering comfort. . Avoid insincere or empty offers of help. Put legs on any offer by defining a specific task you will take on and the time you'll follow-up for a decision and instructions to carry it out. . Avoid dramatic or tragic words and phrases in referring to either the patient or your own feelings. Words like your "tragic" accident, the "worst" case, etc. aren't comforting. . Don't indulge in comparative stories, like "Jim's brother had the same operation..." CONSIDER SPECIAL SITUATIONS Take special care in these situations: . The injury or illness will have severe financial repercussions for the recipient. Inquire to learn how best to offer help, but don't let your offer take on the character of charity. . Don't pry. Be sensitive to the wishes of the recipient and take his or her lead in offering help. If it seems appropriate, you might say something like, "I'd like to help. Would it be helpful if I took over the Rogers' project for four weeks?" "I'd like to organize a carpool to take you to physical therapy if you'd allow me." Message Examples . The whole department was distressed to hear your vacation ended early with a bone-breaking fall. But we were encouraged that medical care was immediately available. We're waiting and ready to set up a car pool for picking you up and delivering you home from the office. I'll be in touch next week to discuss it with you. . I was so sorry to hear about your need for surgery, but encouraged to hear it went very well. Now for the work of recovery. Please let Jack and me organize two meals a week to be delivered by department members. I'll call next week for your input. . You are in my thoughts as you begin your journey toward recovery. I'll call you tomorrow to see if I might be able to pick up Abby each evening when I pick up Madeline. . I shall be ever so happy to hear that you are moving toward a complete recovery. Meanwhile, may I take on the Tasker account until you can get back to the office? I'll call Jack tomorrow to learn your response, and to see if you have any special instructions. . I know I'll see you in that "Electric Cowboy" line at the company picnic next spring. Until then, please rest. I'll call you Thursday to see if you might allow me to have your office extension forwarded to my line. . I was so sorry to hear about your accident, but so happy to hear that the doctors have put you all back together again. May I drive you to your rehab sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays? . Karen mentioned that you are in the hospital. I'm hoping that it's just a minor tune-up, and that your recover will be swift and complete... . I'm hoping with each day you're "more better" than the day before... . Being in the hospital certainly isn't fun, but I'm hoping that this surgery will finally do the trick... . Hopefully, today is a better day than yesterday, and tomorrow will bring you another step closer to feeling completely chipper. . You are greatly missed here. Both of the other managers have been very helpful, but it's your particular kind of skill-set that makes things run smoothly. Get well very, very soon. . I understand that once you get these bionic parts, the sky's the limit on cycling speed. Wow, I can hardly wait until next spring's race. You'll be way out in front. (And it's not even illegal!) . Your job is to get well. Let us divvy up the work here. How about Andrea taking over on the Adams account, and I'll take on Taylor until you get back? . I haven't told you nearly enough how much you mean to this office, and to me... . I'm sending a bushel of good thoughts, along with this new hybrid of a tea rose. And everyone here is expecting both you and it to be in blooming good form next spring... . Our ice cream flavor for this week will be "Nutty Pecan." I'm coming to bring it and your paperwork on Thursday, so let me know what else you'd like... For Children . Roses are red, Violets are Blue, and at this moment--I'm oh, so sorry to say--so are You. But not for long... . Oh, the Places We'll Go, the Things We Will See, When You're Cast is Off, And You Travel with Me!! I'm thinking of a celebration trip to the zoo Is the very thing that will get your leg really work again... . I'm so sorry, Billy, my special dear, that you're sick. Now here's a rhyme I hope will cheer you up: There once was a Blue Lagoon, a purple moon, and a red baboon. How many other words can you find that rhyme, beside spoon? Write them on this note I've enclosed, stuff it inside the stamped envelope, and send it to me. If you come up with more than twelve new ones, it's lunch at noon! Just the two of us, and we'll have chocolate sundaes with a big, big spoon, And buy a flying red balloon. (Oh, so how many is that?) . How about if I come over on Tuesday with some baseball cards to trade? That always makes me feel better. . I'm enclosing some stamps for your collection. I think this will help you finish your state series just in time for getting your cast off. . Ricky, I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. So, I'm sending this little mouse to say, "I hope you'll be up and jumping in a few days..." Here are some thoughts and ideas for other occasions from Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion (St. Martin's Press), by Sandra E. Lamb. Birthday Greetings It's important to know how the person you're writing to feels about gaining a year in age before you begin writing. If she's sensitive or secretive about her age, don't refer to it; and be sure you understand her sense of humor before including a humorous remark. Birthdays are an ideal opportunity not only to celebrate someone's life, but also to add the glow of your special best wishes. Just be sensitive to the desires of the celebrant, and if this is a greeting to a colleague at work, stay within your organization's policy. Words from the Masters "It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts. --Adlai Stevenson "Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!" --Amanda Bradley Message Examples . Bushels of best wishes for a wonderful birthday. . It was a happy day, indeed, on [Date] when you came into this office. And each year on your birthday we're delighted to celebrate with you the wonderful team member you've become. . Birthdays are for celebrating, and here's hoping you'll carry on the party for the whole year. . What would this department be without you? Certainly not the award-winning model of efficiency you've single-handedly pushed it to become. Your birthday seems the perfect time to say thank you for all your invaluable contributions. You're a Checkers' Super Star. . You are both an A-1 colleague, and a truly A-1 guy. Best wishes for achieving all the goals you've set for yourself for this year. . Special people should have special birthdays. But for very special people, like you, the sky's the limit. Do have a smashing good time. . Happy, happy birthday, and best wishes for all you do this year. Another Heights Award, maybe? . Did I hear something about boogieing all night? . I believe this is the magic year for all your wishes to come true. I'm thinking, of course, of that trip to Paris. . I'm smiling all the way to the office party just thinking about all the great new adventures you'll be taking on this year. And I'm wishing you success beyond your grandest dreams for each and every one of them. . Three words to the wise birthday boy: party, party, party. Happy birthday, [Name]. . [Name], here's to a day filled with happiness and an entire year of riches to follow. . What wonderful, fantastic things will you do this year to add to your impressive life list? I know you'll make a huge success of each one. But do tell me over lunch next week, will you? . Another year better. Topping your stellar record is going to be a big challenge; but you--of all the people I know--are up to it. . If birthdays were given out by popular demand, you'd be celebrating every week. And you'd always get my vote! . I can't think of a person I'd rather wish a spectacular coming year. I'm sure it will be fantastic, because you are. . You've made this office a better place to work, and we're all looking forward to what's in store this coming year. Happy Birthday. . To the master of multi-tasking, and making a great success of everything, best wishes for a record-setting year. . I have a feeling that this is going to go down as your happiest year ever! . It's going to be really, really hard to top this past year; but I'm sure you're up to it. Best wishes for a wonderful birthday, and a year filled with all the joy you can stand. . You make life a celebration, [Name]; may you have the full fireworks on your birthday, and a five-star year. . Wishing my very special boss a very special birthday. . Remember our sock hops in the gym at noon when we'd try to act two years older? You were so successful then, and now you are so successful at looking 10 years younger. What a woman. Have a great 39th. . A very, very special birthday wish for a very, very special friend. Weddings Every new couple needs the support of a community of family, friends, and colleagues who have joined together on their behalf. This is the perfect time to list yourself among those who care, and join with the couple as they start life together. Join the celebration by expressing your joy and good wishes. But be sure your wishes for growth and happiness are in tune with the couple's belief system. (You may even want to send a congratulations message to a colleague who's the Mother, or Father, or sister of the new couple.) Words of the Masters Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Woods or steeply mountain yields... Christopher Marlowe, "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love." Message Examples . Best wishes on this truly wonderful day to two truly wonderful people who share a very special bond. . May your blessings be many, and all your disagreements be resolved before sunset. . [Name] and [Name], two hearts united are far stronger than one. May your love grow sweeter by the day. . What wonderful news that your son and Shelly have been married. I'm sure you were stunning in your beige, Congratulations! . Congratulations! And welcome, Kerry, to the Landing and Landing family. We are delighted to have the Roths as part of our organization. . May the beauty of this day flourish and bring forth a uniquely beautiful relationship. . May the pledges and promises of this day be realized in full in your relationship. . May you come to know fully that the circle of your love is unending. . We had hoped for each of you the very best in life; and then you found each other. Perfect. . Your love and commitment to each other is a wonderful starting place for a truly happy marriage. Congratulations. . Happily ever after is really just experiencing the love you share each day. . May your love continue to grow in huge proportions. Births and Adoptions The arrival of a new family member is a miracle to be celebrated. Before you send your message of joy and congratulations, gather a little information to give your writing direction: Is the baby a boy or girl?; What is the baby's weight?; Name?; Are there any health considerations for baby or parents? Are there other siblings, and what are their names and ages? Adding to the celebration of this joyous event is a great way to help build a community around the family. It fosters an extended circle of well-wishers where everyone feels cherished. Acknowledge how special the event is, note anything unique about the newcomer, congratulate the parents and siblings, and refer to details on the birth announcement, if one was received. In sending greetings, think about widening your circle. You might also want to send a greeting individually to each sibling of the newcomer, to the new grandparents, a special aunt, etc. Birth Message Examples . Your little family was exactly perfect. Now it's more perfect! Congratulations on the arrival of your beautiful little bundle. . A perfect two now becomes three. Oh, what joy. . It's often said, and oh-so-true, you'll soon not be able to remember life without your new Cherub. Congratulations. . A special welcome to Annabelle, an infant so wise she chose the smartest Mom available. We here at Wells rejoice with you, Aubree, Sam, and Samantha. Annabelle should be ready to join Wells' marketing department In about June of 2027, right? . What wonderful news that Rafael has arrived to join the wonderful Smith family, and ours here at Wellington. I look forward to meeting the young man at the next Wellington family gathering. Meantime, I'm sending out our packet of family benefits for you [Show More]

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