Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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First Post: Introduction to my Blog

First Post: Introduction to my Blog

October 20, 2013 by Shirley Enebrad 2 Comments

Aloha,

My name is Shirley Enebrad. I am an author with a background in television production. Not by choice but by happenstance my name became synonymous with childhood cancer and dying children in my hometown of Seattle, Washington. As the mother of Cory, a little boy diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, and Brie, his younger sister, I searched for support groups or some way to help my kids feel less alone. At the time that support wasn’t available to us. This was rather shocking in the city where bone marrow transplants and other medical innovations were pioneered, so, as the old adage goes, “if you need something done, ask a busy woman”. I was eventually fortunate enough to meet Christine a lovely woman who had been involved with support groups in California. Together and with the addition of some great volunteers we launched The Children’s Connection, a monthly gathering that started with a shared meal and then split into a parents’ group and one for the children.

The group experience isn’t for everyone. I know that. But, for us we successfully created a big ‘ohana (family) that came together and shared laughter, tears, triumphs, sadness and joy. This group helped all of us. Having a support group family was especially helpful to me and my children as we faced the devastation of a terminal prognosis and my little boy’s eventual death. If you want to know how to start a support group I would be happy to share our process.

Sad to say, death has been a huge part of my life, which I guess is inevitable since I come from a huge family with many aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and I am fortunate to have many friends.  A few years ago my immediate family experienced the passing of 15 loved ones including my parents, and my sister-in-law, in less than three years. Several died from cancer. A few years later, I was faced with my own cancer diagnosis. I was scared and not too thrilled about the painful procedures. I kept myself sane by remembering Cory’s courage and how he faced a multitude of surgeries, bone marrow and spinal taps.

I am who I am today because of everything we went through before, during and after Cory’s life and death. I chronicled these lessons in a book called “Over the Rainbow Bridge” and recently wrote “Six Word Lessons on Coping with Grief” to give people short digestible lessons on processing the emotions of grief. Both of my books are a result of how Cory touched the lives of thousands of people worldwide and how he put me on my path to help others. So, this blog is the next step in Cory’s plan for me. I hope that you will join me as I share my thoughts about the way Cory’s life lessons pertain to everyone.

Some of the topics I will be writing about are:

  1. Life is a gift
  2. Live with gratitude
  3. Never take life for granted
  4. Live with authenticity
  5. Fear not-it could be worse
  6. WWCD? What would Cory do?
  7. The beginning of the end
  8. Love heals
  9. Facing down fear
  10. Life isn’t always easy ( it’s all you’ve got)
  11. Make lemonade
  12. Grieving
  13. Grief is not a mental illness
  14. Feel your pain
  15. You will survive
  16. After death experiences
  17. Nightmares and dreams
  18. Listen to your body
  19. No one grieves the same
  20. When does it get better?
  21. What’s wrong with me?
  22. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt
  23. Taking care of yourself
  24. Coping is an art or a cookie
  25. The right attitude helps
  26. Making it through the holidays

I hope that this blog will help folks who are dealing with a new diagnosis, a bad prognosis, an impending death, those who are grieving or just struggling with life in general.  Cory always said, “Live the best life you can. It is about how you live your life not about dying.”  If you have questions or topics you would like me to include, please send an email. I would love to hear from you.

Shirley

 

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Comments

  1. Betty says

    October 23, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    I am very excited to read your next post. You are a remarkable lady!

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      November 5, 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Mahalo sweetie!

      Reply

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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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