Ok, I’m gonna have to put my foot down on this one

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Ok, I’m gonna have to put my foot down on this one

February 21, 2007 by A.M.S.

Apparently Hallmark has decided that the world needs more greeting cards. They describe them as “New cards with real words for real life.”

I’m sure there is someone out there who will be touched to open their mailbox, find the crisp, white envelope lovingly addressed in the handwriting of a friend, and who will be uplifted by:

“I wish I could make things happen for you the way you want them to. I know how much a child would mean to you.

I’m still hoping and believing for you…and keeping you in my heart.”

But I am not one of them. I do not want to make a Hallmark moment of my infertility battle. Nevermind that I’m not a big fan of greeting cards to begin with, although I will say, the card I have at home just waiting for the day that someone is worthy enough to receive it has a picture on the front of two little aliens and reads “Zeeble florb eep kligoo.” Inside, it just says, “Narboza?” That would be a great infertility card and should come with a handmade coupon to go out at the first opportunity for as many frou-frou rum drinks as I can put back. Or the one I have with a dancing banana peel that says “I don’t know what it is, but it pisses me off too” on the inside. Believe me, I spend enough time feeling sad about the way things are going. I don’t need saccharine messages on top of it. Make me laugh, I probably need it.

I’m an evil, evil person, I know. I HATE sappy greeting cards. Now, don’t confuse that and think I’m opposed to receiving handwritten missives expressing emotion. I’m not. I value the time spent putting pen to paper and finding your own words to convey your feelings. I’m just opposed to getting the sugary drivel created by someone sitting in a cubicle working on a deadline to get the copy to an approval committee with your name scribbled after it.

I know we all find ourselves in situations where we don’t know what to say, where we want to let someone know that we’re there for them, that we care, we empathize. I’m just not sure that mass produced greeting cards are the best way to do that. Is it really so hard to tell someone, “I’m sorry for what you are going through. I hope you know I am here for you if you need me.” and then, just be there? If you care enough to send the very best, it seems to me that your own words are miles beyond marketing-approved copy. But, I’m cynical that way, I guess.

*Thanks to Julie at A Little Pregnant for bringing these cards to my attention.

Posted in Infertility Madness | 3 Comments

3 Responses to “Ok, I’m gonna have to put my foot down on this one”

on February 21, 2007 at 11:31 am1 Stacie

At least they aren’t trying to do one of those Shoebox funny cards about infertility. I can actually picture someone sending a card that reads “You do know you have to have sex to get pregnant, right?” and then not understanding why some of us might find that more infuriating than funny.

People who “care enough to send the very best” write letters. But, maybe that’s my snobbery showing through.
on February 21, 2007 at 4:38 pm2 Lut C.

They’re printing cards like that?
Do they have cancer cards?
on September 20, 2007 at 2:14 pm3 RM

I was wondering if you still had that card about the 2 little aliens. I’ve been looking for it. I’m sorry to ask but would it be possible (if you didn’t mind too much) to PLEASE scan that card? It’s one of those inside jokes between me and a special someone and I can’t find it anywhere. Thank you very much.