Also, consider acknowledging that this moment is awful and tough and there are hard emotions all around. It will be helpful for them to be reminded that they’re not alone in the grief and fear that this diagnosis is bringing, nor is their 50-year union defined by it.

Dear Eric: The daughter’s boyfriend in the letter from Protective Parent, who judged the boyfriend for not going to college and pursuing carpentry, just may be a diamond in the rough.

"Any suggestions about what to write? Even if I found one with a printed message, I’d like to put in a personal note."

Many greeting cards for anniversaries have sentiments like, “Happy Anniversary,” followed by “...and for many more years”.