My neighbour's son has died, can anyone help me word a card please?

[FredWorms]

He was in his twenties, death drug related, suddenly on Sunday night.

I didn't know him very well, I don't know his Mum (my neighbour) very well either, although I do see her pretty much every day and we exchange greetings.

So far I have;

dear ,
We are so sad to hear of your loss. Although we didn't know ** well he always had a shy smile for the children...

...and that's where I'm stuck. I'm trying to aim for something a bit more personal than "sorry for your loss, stay strong" type of thing.

I think the best thing when you have lost someone is a positive memory shared....I think "shy smile" is rather an odd thing to say to be honest...not positive to ALL people.

I would think that

"We are so sorry to hear of your sad loss, * was always so pleasant to us and smiled at the children so kindly. We will remember his nice manner and are thinking of you at this difficult time."

Would be ok.

But he didn't smile at the children, barely at all, tbh.

He was a very shy young man, I think. Under the circumstances I would very much like to come up with something personal but I really didn't know him. All I ever knew of him was....well...the odd shy smile.

Say what you feel I am sure it will be appreciated as many people say nothing out of fear of saying the wrong thing.

Yes, that's the thing noddy. Time is going on and I really want to express our support and sympathy for her. I'll have another go at it.

I wouldn't like it if someone wrote that...just saying. I have a shy child...I don't ike it when people mention it. She's who she is and shy is a label.

I think shy smile is nice and is not offensive at all.

Saying someone is shy is different to a shy smile.
I think a shy smile shows a tender side.

Thanks ELR, it's what I went for, it felt right.

I feel as though if I'd said he always had a smile for the children she'd just think "well this person didn't know my son at all".