Our "Open When" Envelopes are meant to keep these children and their families motivated on a rough day. These envelopes are filled with thoughtful notes designed to bring comfort, courage, and smiles. We have provided our guidelines for creating these envelopes and some ideas- although you are also free to include your own prompts.
Guidelines
-
Each person should make at least three envelopes (each with different prompts as each person in the family receives three)
-
All notes should be handwritten or digitally created and printed
-
You can make it as long as you like, but we would appreciate at least a couple of heartfelt messages and/or sentences
-
Each envelope should be clearly labeled with the prompt on the front
-
You are free to use any sort of colors such as colored pencils, crayons, markers, pens, etc. as well as stickers
-
You can address the letter with simply a greeting such as: “Hello!” or “Hi friend!” and sign the envelope with your first name or an appropriate nickname (e.g. “From, John” or “From, Your Friend”
-
You can write up to three letters with the same message per prompt (but at least three different prompts is encouraged and appreciated).
-
DO NOT:
-
Mention the future and/or death
-
If you’re trying to include how your loved one also had cancer, please avoid sharing the outcome as it may hard for a child diagnosed with cancer to hear things such as
-
Avoid mentioning anything about their future as well
-
-
Reference medical details or mention any specific type of treatment
-
Seal your envelope yourself (you can make the note inside but please do not put it in an envelope)
-
Use language that minimizes feelings (e.g. “don’t be sad” or “it’s all okay, cheer up!”)
-
Offensive language (even if it’s not necessarily a bad word, anything that promotes violence or is derogatory in any sort of way should avoid being included)
-
Decorate the envelope with anything that would make a mess (e.g. glitter)
-
Politics or anything politically related
-
Mention anything religious or refer to your religion
-
Write so much that it all sounds the same- it’s about quality, not quantity
-
Prompts
For Patients
✨ 1. Open When You’re Feeling Angry
-
A note that says tells them that it’s okay to be angry, they’re valid for feeling this way, and that you can see them, you don’t have to smile right now.
🧸 2. Open When You’re Feeling Sad
-
A note that says tells them that it’s okay to be sad, it’s totally normal to feel this way, and that they’re not alone.
😴 3. Open When You Can’t Sleep
-
A note that almost feels like you’re there with them, and that some nights will feel long, but that they’re not alone.
💌 4. Open When You’re Feeling Stressed
-
A note that tells them that what they’re feeling is normal and totally valid, and that life will be loud and heavy sometimes and that they don’t have to be perfect.
For Siblings
🫂 1. Open When You’re Feeling Alone
-
A note that tells them that they are not alone, that they are loved and that they matter and are not invisible.
💌 2. Open When You’re Feeling Frustrated
-
A note that reminds them that’s it’s okay to feel frustrated- that’s part of the process, it happens, and it's normal to feel that way.
😄 3. Open When You Need To Smile
-
A note that tells them that their feelings are valid too, if today’s been a little rough, then it’s okay to take a break (maybe even include a silly joke somewhere in the note).
☀️ 4. Open When The Day Feels Long
-
A note that tells them that some days are going to feel longer and harder than others, and that it’s perfectly normal and that they’re not alone.
Example
