I tend to write long cards on all of the various occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, and everything in between. So does my daughter.

But my son has seemed to master the impact of the short message. His handmade card this Mother’s Day, on bright green construction paper and written in multiple colored markers, read: “You are the best mom a child could ever ask for. Thanks for always having my back.”

I think he must have learned that art from my husband.