How to word a birthday card when someone is very sad?

[FoxOnABox]

I'm hoping for some words of wisdom please MN.

How can I word a birthday card without the usual Happy Birthday etc?

All I can come up with is 'Thinking of you' but it's a bit.. sparse?

Maybe something about the year ahead? Sending you love on your birthday and best wishes for a peaceful and hopeful year ahead.

@IncrediblySadToo

Yeah, you would think I've never had a serious bereavement

"Many Happy Returns" is the phrase for this situation. It means 'may you have lots of happy birthdays in the future.'

A friend was going through a dreadful time on her birthday last year. I wrote something like "this can't be the best birthday you have ever had, but here's hoping the year to come is much better, and sending you lots of love on your special day."

A quick nose on her mantelpiece confirmed most people had done similar and chosen cards with muted emotions. The occasional "Yay! Celebrate! Have the BEST birthday EVER!" ones stood out like sore thumbs!!

I think "Thinking of you" can be made warmer by adding a gentle line that acknowledges how difficult the day may feel. I recently used a simple, heartfelt message for a sad occasion, and keeping it sincere felt more appropriate than forcing cheerful birthday wishes for brother.