We're great admirers of the hilariously honest (and sometimes awkward) greeting cards by Emily McDowell. Now, she's bringing that same truthful spunk to subjects that are tough to tackle. Specifically, what to say to someone who's dealing with serious health conditions like cancer, chronic illness, or mental illness. McDowell is herself a cancer survivor, and she's channeling her experience to a series of eight cards.
The line is aptly called Empathy Cards. Some reference chemo treatments, while others let us acknowledge that we're simply at a loss for words. Each poignant card is written in McDowell's beautiful hand-lettered type and expresses genuine concern while still making you smile.
McDowell created the collection because she believes that we need better, more authentic ways to communicate about sickness and suffering. “It's a really tough problem; someone we love needs our support more than ever, but we don't have the right language for it,” she writes on her website. “My goal is to help people connect with each other through truth and insight, which is one of the founding principles of this brand,” she explains. “I want the recipients of these cards to feel seen, understood, and loved.”