One of my colleagues has cancer and he will soon die from it. Now a card is going around the office where everyone wishes him well in these trying times.
What do you think about this? Would you like to receive such a card when you are about to die? What messages would you like to read as your body continues to deteriorate?
I probably won't sign it because I didn't even know the guy, but I'm curious. I think for me getting such a card would just be like rubbing salt into a wound. If someone doesn't bother to visit me on my death bed then I don't need their message sending me off with an impersonal farewell.
I'd like to know who genuinely liked me and who really appreciated my contributions to the office. I wouldn't like to hear the classic "now you'll be in a better place with God and angels" phrases. I'd like to know if I will be remembered or not.
I think that both Nick and Kworb make good points. I agree with Kworb about how I think it's impersonal and, to be honest, a bit rude to just sign a card and not actually take the time to be with this person, this person who is dying. But, then again, what about someone who is afraid of seeing someone else dying, or being around death? Can't that be a possibility, too?
I understand the sentiment, and I agree with it, to an extent, but just because someone doesn't visit you on your death bed, that doesn't necessarily mean that they don't care. It may just mean that they're afraid to come to terms with their own mortality.
Cards suck in general. Cards are an excuse for saying "I couldn't think of anything good to give" Now if it was like a giant sign or a statue or something, now that's a different story.
It's horrible to hear about someone that KNOWS that their going to die, for me it depends on what they write for example if they put RIP I will be offended & feel like **** because that's basically saying we don't want you here so just go already, but honestly it's nice for people to care, but it will just make you feel even more depressed seeing farewell messages in the card. Your last moments should be joyable.
I think it would work if the people who felt close to him actually wrote out letters themselves. Not Hallmark cards, but something heartfelt. This is just an awful situation and there is truly no good solution, but I would try to rally up a group of people to go see him at the hospital.
i rememer this guy from work who also had terminal cancer. . . and he started his fundraiser and everything for his funeral. he felt like he didn't want to leave anything to pay off for his parents... pretty sad
But they're just trying to be nice, I would want to do more than send out a card personally.
.... it will help me in my last days knowing that i left somewhat of an impression on my co-workers
