Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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Lesson #24 No Amount of Time is Enough

Lesson #24 No Amount of Time is Enough

January 1, 2014 by Shirley Enebrad Leave a Comment

“No Amount of Time is Enough” #24 from Six Word Lessons on Coping with Grief is appropriate for just about everyone on any given day.

Not spending enough time with a loved one prior to his or her death is classic. Let’s face it, we never know when a loved on will be gone from our lives. Even in the case of a terminal illness the time of death is not known. We all lead busy lives and often times our contact with those we love is put off for later… a few hours, a few days, a few weeks later. Then, something horrible happens and we are no longer in control of when and how we can connect with those we love.

A very dear friend who was part of my history for most of my life just crossed over the rainbow bridge yesterday. After a massive stroke her kids were forced to make the difficult decision to remove life support and God bless her, she hung in there for a week.

Christmas was always her favorite holiday and my guess is that she didn’t want to ruin it for her family for the rest of their lives so she hung in as long as she could. She was like that. She always put her loved ones first. A good lesson for all parents. She taught me a lot about how to make life fun and meaningful for my children. I am grateful. By her example I tried to give my children the magic of believing in Santa and the reason for the season. Baking with the kids…giving most of it away. Giving and living.

Speaking of Christmas, I have tree ornaments that she taught me to make from beads and little mirrors. Beaded bells and skaters that adorn my tree year after year. Now, some of them are lighting up my daughter’s tree. We used to sit around for hours tole painting and she got me hooked on painting ceramic Christmas village houses too. So many crafts and so much fun, but not enough time together.

The fond memories of the time we spent will help to sustain me. I hope that the memories her kids and grand children have will help them to get over the feeling that they didn’t spend enough time with her. We all feel it. No matter how much time you spend, no amount is enough. So try not to let guilt get you down. Try to stay positive and focus on the good times. Celebrate and honor the person you are grieving.

I celebrate you Ronna Lee Pavone…the rodeo, the armadillo races, the parties, playing with the kids in your pool, the good times, the bad, the wine and song. And I will remember your laughter and magic especially at Christmastime for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to 2014. Peace.

Shirley

 

 

Grief, Life and Living Tagged: celebrate, Christmas, giving, honor, living, magic, memories

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Reviews & Testimonials

This primer on grief is practical , honest, and totally on the money about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors which are part of the human experience of grief and loss. The six word lessons are understandable, strengthening, and probably because there are only ‘six words’ easily remembered. It also takes direct aim at the guilt experienced about ‘the need to talk about it’.
William M Womack MD, Psychiatrist ("Six Word Lessons" On Coping with Grief)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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