Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough

Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough

February 19, 2023 by Shirley Enebrad Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but the world news has been depressing me. The war in Ukraine where innocent people are being shelled, skewered, and assaulted daily. The Chinese balloons and other invasions of airspace are frightening. Children bringing guns to school. Lawmakers offering thoughts and prayers for gun violence tragedies they could have curbed. Finally, the mean rude, disrespectful, and supremely underqualified people in our nation’s congress leave me angry and mortified. When all that is going on and good people that I and, my friends and relatives loved die and the aftermath is pain, numbness, and devastation, it can all become too much. So, resting one’s brain and learning to relax can help, but looking to the heavens is an option too. My friend Tina just gave me a little book entitled, “How to Work with Angels.” It is fascinating. Also, it brought back memories. One example is when my little boy Cory and I were on our way to an event at the Seattle Center. The rain was pounding down, and suddenly my car died on I-5. Thankfully I was not in a middle lane, but unfortunately, I was in the fast lane as the guy who designed that part of I-5 was a nincompoop and made the fast lane an exit lane. The car died; there was barely a shoulder, so two-thirds of my car was sticking out in the fast lane, and there was loads of traffic. Cory and I were both terrified. I called out for God’s protection just as I saw a semi bearing down on us, and I knew there was not enough lane for both of us, and miraculously it was as if a shield surrounded my car. The truck flew past us, and after catching my breath, there was a break in the flow of vehicles, and my car started. So, with that reminder, I will get myself reacquainted with my angels. Not just for me but for the people of Ukraine, peace and cooperation in our nation’s capital, and good health for those I love. You might want to check out the little book.

Happy 2023!

Be well,

Shirley

Thank you James Wheeler via Unsplash for the beautiful photo.

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Reviews & Testimonials

The greatest gift I received from reading “Over the Rainbow Bridge” is a comforting peace about death and dying. Death is not an ending, but the beginning of a new phase. Powerful. Thanks Cory for your wisdom.Through the life of this 9 year old boy, I learned more insights about heaven and the afterlife than I ever learned by attending church. I don’t know who I’m more impressed with—Cory, a young man who even in death was the most positive, inspirational person I never met; or his mother Shirley who had the courage to really list… Read more
Shelly Heesacker, Freelance TV Field Producer for ‘Oprah’ and ‘The Dr. Phil Show’
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Books are often described as good, exciting, motivational, or inspirational. Rarely do you find one that is truly life transforming. ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ is just such a book. It is absolutely miraculous the impact the story of this little nine your old child had on my perception of life, death, and God. My life has been inspired and enhanced by Cory’s story. If you are depressed for any reason, you will have a change of heart and mind after reading how Cory dealt with every day life in the short time he was here on earth. I can hardl… Read more
Carrie D. Hewitt, Newly Encouraged Mother of Four
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Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Cory was my favorite patient ever and he taught me more than I could ever teach him. His lessons about Summerland (the afterlife) were profound and his drawings of what he saw ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ helped thousands of people get in touch with their long-buried emotions.
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross, Famed researcher & author of 16 books ‘On Death and Dying’
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I just have to tell you that your book has become a part of me.  I have milked it by only reading it when I was alone and quiet.  I feel I know little Cory now.  It has been a privilege getting to know his sweet spirit.  Thank you so much for sharing a small part of him with me.  I would love to see the video that was made.  Bless your heart for the pure love and strength that you instilled in your sweet baby.  Cory is a true gift to all who get to share his story.
Pamala Butler Iacovitti, Wichita Falls, Texas (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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Shirley, I can’t tell you how much your book touched my life. Your son was an amazing boy-such an upbeat, inspiring, beautiful little boy… although I cried, I also celebrated the person he was. And your writing made me feel like I was a part of your life with your son, instead of just reading about it. Images came to mind. Like when you had to walk that long distance to the hospital with your son in your arms after your car broke down. There were so many others… and the laughs I had with the ghosts!  The feelings I experienced while reading –I … Read more
Lisa Salvati, TV News Reporter, New York (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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This book on coping is such a gift. It’s a quick, concise read that any busy, grief stricken person can benefit from. Knowing that the writer has experienced grief is powerful, she has walked down the lonely, painful journey herself. Thank you for this book as we grieve the loss of my beautiful mother-in-law!
Joanie Raaum (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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I loved this very human and touching story of a family’s journey with a terminally ill child. Although it was sad, it was also courageous and funny. It was far more about living than about dying, and offers a positive example for all of us to value each day. The messages about life beyond death’s door are intriguing, uplifting, and very believable. Thank you for a beautiful read.
Marcia Shaver (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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The written word can be very powerful and moving, and every so often there is a book that can truly change lives; Over the Rainbow Bridge is that important. It is a true account of a heroic child’s mission in his short life to teach us about love and life, that one and both are the same: eternal. In our culture, where death is almost a taboo subject, Over the Rainbow Bridge will help us confront our fears and embrace life in a “down to earth” way. It is accessible, a comfort to read, as if being embraced by an old friend.
Gei Chan, well-read Artist & Designer
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Although I haven’t experienced too much loss, this short, to-the-point book gave me a wealth of very important information on how to help others cope with grief, and how to know what to expect when it happens to me. I learned about things to say and not to say to those grieving, and how important it is to let yourself go through the process when you experience loss. The author knows what she is talking about, as she has experienced extensive loss herself. Concise and helpful tips!
P. Pacelli, Sammamish, WA (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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