Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

  • Home
  • Services
  • About
  • Workshops
  • Blog
  • In the News
  • Contact
Bad week. Prayers needed.

Bad week. Prayers needed.

November 3, 2023 by Shirley Enebrad 2 Comments

This past week has been one for lots of prayer. I am a former news producer and purposely do not watch the news on a regular basis. I scan my phone when I get up and the house is quiet. Lately I have been appalled by the stories I have seen such as a mother who dropped her three-year-old and seven-year-old children off at a beach and drove off, and another who dumped her four-year-old by the side of the highway. There seems to be too many stories about those who have beaten their kids to death or let others do it. Honestly, I just get sick to my stomach and think about my son who I would have changed places with or given everything I owned to keep him safe and healthy.Lord, bless the children and keep them safe from bad parents.

My heart breaks over the little ones and those murdered in Ukraine and Israel and Gaza. Lord, please stop the killing. The gun violence all over our country. Lord, stop the NRA and the greedy politicians who take money from them. The ugliness is overwhelming at times. I see really nice posts on FB and other sites only to notice truly horrible comments. Matthew Perry R.I.P., died this week, and all of a sudden there were conspiracy crap stories, and rude comments. What has happened to our society? Lord, please stop the hate. Stop the proliferation of guns, drugs, and ugly behavior.

I signed up for a group on FB about children and reincarnation. I noticed that there were more folks curious about it than who had experienced it. So, I wrote a quick account about Cory and his first mention of a previous lifetime when he was a toddler. And that my grandson also talked about it when he could barely talk. There were too many stories to share so I mentioned that I wrote a book about him. Anyway, I said my grandson is now in his 20’s. Well, some jack hole commented in a snarky condescending way that I had written a book but didn’t know the proper use of an apostrophe. So I wrote back that prior to 1980 when designating age or year an apostrophe was called for. It has since changed but either way is correct.This just made the guy double down. Needless to say, he was set upon by about 100 people calling him out for being rude. I just shook my head and wondered why he felt the need to be superior. Lord, stop the jack holes of the world from thinking it is okay to show their lack of self-esteem and lack of decency.

I have been wrapping up insurance business for our Lahaina house and it has been heart wrenching. Danyelle went to the remains when our zone opened up. The photos and videos tell the story of destruction. Yesterday, Brie took ministers with her to cleanse and bless the aina (land) and it was worse than she anticipated.She felt the pain and grief for Jean who died there and for Jean’s ‘ohana (family). We will rebuild but it is projected to take years. We are all sad. Lord, give strength to the displaced, the grievers, and those losing hope. There wasn’t enough housing to begin with. Lord, inspire the Governor, the Mayor and the country council to figure out how to permanently house folks until Lahaina can be rebuilt. Lord, please cleanse the water and be with those hired to remove the burn debris and bury it at Olowalu. Keep them safe from the toxicity.

I just want to live in peace and enjoy the time I have left on this planet.Lord, let it be so.

Be well,

Shirley

PS-Mahalo Danyelle Cedar for the photo go Buddha in our driveway.

Blog

Comments

  1. Audrey Zemke says

    November 3, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Sending lots of hugs and prayers to your family and to Lahaina and to the families who lost housing or loved ones.

    Reply
  2. Shari says

    November 3, 2023 at 10:34 pm

    Keep sharing your knowledge and passion for helping others and ignore those Jack holes! We need to be lifting each other up in prayer, love and kindness and support how we can.
    Love you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to receive blog posts via email

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Reviews & Testimonials

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
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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)
Read all 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)
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
Having dealt with the loss of my son, I can totally relate to this book. While reading it, I found myself reflecting back to the “stupid” things that people said to me when I was in the throes of so much pain that I couldn’t see past the very next second. I am comforted by Shirley’s words which are down to earth and easily understood. This book WILL help you if you let it. It is a quick read and is one of the things that I like most about it. Grief is a lifelong journey that changes over time so take care of your heart and read this book. It is… Read more
April Braykovich (Kirkland, WA) (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
Read all 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’
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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)
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>
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)
Read all Reviews & Testimonials >>

Copyright © 2025 · Shirley Enebrad · Website Customization by Cascade ValleyDesigns

Copyright © 2025 · Going Green Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in