The last birthday card my brother bought was still blank

Dear Delyara, My brother died suddenly in March. Today, while clearing his flat, I found a birthday card in a drawer with my name written on the envelope. My birthday is next week. The card itself is blank. He had bought it, addressed it, and apparently had not yet decided what to write. That empty space has destroyed me more than if he had written something beautiful. My brother was terrible at cards. Every year, he wrote the same things: “Have a good one,” “Don’t get too old,” some insult about my hairline. I would give anything for one of those stupid sentences now. Instead, I have a card waiting for words from a man who ran out of time before finding them. My wife asked if I want her to put it away until after my birthday. I said no. It is on the mantel beside the cards that have already arrived. People will write about happiness, another year, good health. My brother’s will remain open and empty. I keep staring at the blank middle as though grief might develop handwriting if I wait long enough.