Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Lisa Keys
Comforting grief quotes. For those supporting someone else, quotes act as a shield against the fear of saying the wrong thing. They allow a supporter to offer a "gift" of wisdom when their own words feel inadequate to the gravity of the situation.
Yesterday was my 58th birthday. It was a joyful occasion. I was completely pampered by my daughter, my son in law, my husband and friends. I am a lucky lady.
Still, I stole a quiet moment to be with William all because he wrote me a letter. If you ever wonder why I write this blog I think this will explain it. Here are excerpts from his letter. Mom advice....write a letter. Leave behind some comforting grief quotes.
Mom Advice in a grief poem.
- If ever you love someone
- Write them a letter
- A handwritten letter
- No email
- No text
- If ever you love someone
- Tell them why
- In a letter
- Folded and saved in an old box
- And if ever you are gone
- That handwritten letter now yellowed
- Will be treasured, unfolded and read
- Over and over and over
- And if ever you wonder
- Will it be enough
- Be sure It will always be the best gift ever
For more on why letter writing is so important check out A Thoughtful Letter. Feel free to quote me.
Aimee Shuhart says
This is my favorite of all your posts. 💝
Lisa says
You helped me raise a great young man and I thank you ever so much for that. Calvin will write you a letter when he is old enough.
Lou M says
Everything in that letter is true. Hearing it from your son makes it so much more meaningful. Congratulations on having such an awesome validation of who you are.
Lisa says
I just loved being his mom--so simple and hard at times
wendylieb@comcast.net says
Beautiful and enduring. Happy birthday dear one.
xoxo from W + P
Lisa says
all part of the journey--thanks for the good wishes
Ellen Aronheim says
Sometimes, not very often, but sometimes, our feelings are diminished by putting them into words. Right now, I have no words for how lovely and loving this is. I could not say it better than William, or any better than your post. <3
Lisa says
thank you Ellen---I am sure you have a boxful of beautiful cards and letters
Carol says
Wow, reading this through a few tears. He was an amazing son and you are an amazing mom.
Lisa says
We raised good boys together <3
Krista says
Absolutely priceless... More than anyone can imagine... Happy Birthday
Lisa says
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I hope you have an old treasure box, too
savourytable says
One of the most true and touching things I have ever read.
Lisa says
Glad it touched your heart. He made me feel so loved writing this on the eve we are dropping him at Camp LeJeune for his first deployment
cookinformyboys says
What a wonderful son you have. What an incredible job you did.
Lisa says
Thank you. Lots of good boys out there. I hope you have saved a few cards and letters.
Carol Rollins says
How touching this letter is! You are one amazing woman and mother.
Lisa says
Glad I saved all his cards and letters.
Ronna F says
Very moving, very wonderful. Makes you proud as a mom. You will hold this letter close to your heart forever. Happy Birthday, Lisa, and God bless you!
Lisa says
Thanks, Ronna. Very proud mom.
Bev Poulin says
Oh My God! Lisa, never was there a boy, a man, who loved his mother more. Just for him to think of doing this ahead f time speaks volumes to what an amazing young man you raised!
I love you all!
Lisa says
we both raised such good boys...so looking forward to your boy's wedding
Brenda McKinney says
Lisa,
This is just beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Thinking of you in the days to come.
Brenda
Lisa says
Thank you Brenda...I wish you could have known him. You are always in my thoughts, too
Danielle says
Happy. Birthday again my dear. What a lovely letter and thanks William as I'll be writing letters to my parents now too. We are all lucky to have you as part of our life. I'm glad you had a little piece of William to celebrate your special day 🙂
Lisa says
Yes-sit write down and write them a letter. You will never be sorry and they will always be grateful. I wrote my dad a letter when I was a teenager. I found it nearly 60 years later among his things. I folded it up and put it in the pocket of his suit before he was buried.
Laurie Lufkin says
thank you for sharing this my wonderful friend! Love you tons.
Lisa says
...and thanks for reading and hanging out....I promise some recipes are coming
Veronica says
Lisa, this was lovely! I could not agree with you more about the importance of writing letters (in this digital world!). Recently I was up in my parents attic and came across a big box of letters and notes from friends and family to me from junior high school through college. Among the silly high school/college drama notes and letters were letters written by my mother, now deceased. Finding them was like having a surprise conversation with her...I could hear her voice and knew that she was still with me.
Lisa says
Isn't that such a special treat to find those letters. I am so glad they were written and saved for you. Hearing those voices from the past are rejuvenating.
jerseygirlcooks says
Oh, Lisa that is so sweet. I am glad you had a nice birthday. You are so right about hand written letters as I love reading homemade cards my kids have wrote me. I hope you have more letters from Will to cherish and read over and over.
Lisa says
I do have lots of letters and I am glad you do too. They are so special and treasured.
Tracy says
That is absolutely beautiful. You did raise a gentleman. This world needs more people like William.
Lisa says
agreed...so sad he is gone
riverdaze says
So glad you scanned this letter. Aside from the obvious love and devotion William has for you it is the essence of William. Multicolored HAPPY BIRTHDAY and handwriting- forever the fun loving boy. He is awake on the eve of what William considered his destiny- service to his country. He is excited, restless and perhaps a little bit anxious about this decision he has made. (And although he thought you were asleep, I would bet you were wide awake.) But then your baby boy relays all the compassion he has learned from you and Bill in such an eloquent and mature way in what can only be described as a love letter to his MOM, his rock and buoy from boyhood to manhood. Thank you so much for sharing this window into William's sweet soul. What a treasure!
PS... I hope Deacon got a piece of cake the way she is staring at it.
Lisa says
Yes-I miss that boy's sense of humor and fun. I find myself at times doing some of the goofy things he would do---like hiss at the dog as if he was a snake. The dog would freak out and we would all laugh. No cake for Deacon (chocolate under that frosting). What I really miss is that person who always stepped outside himself to make sure someone else was OK...he did that for me that night.
As always thanks for your thoughtfulness. I hope your boys have written you love letters, too. You certainly deserve them.
Mike says
This was a rough one for me, but nice to be reminder what a caring cousin I have.
Lisa says
It was a rough one to write....now get out your pen and paper and write one to your mom, if you haven't already.
Cathy says
Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay...Love isn't love til you give it away.
And that is how I feel about this post. A lesson to us all.
Lisa says
It really is the best way to live one's life---to love and to be loved-nothing better