Yet Another Life Lesson in Gratitude

So, I have not had the energy to post in the past few weeks. I have had yet another confirmation that cancer sucks. I was diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer. In the giant scheme of things that is not that horrible even though it was not a pleasant thing to hear from the doctor. And in general people freak out when they hear the "C" word....but, it could have been so much worse! I feel so blessed that it was caught early - get those mammos girls! and in trying to make sense of it for my own sake, I have realized that it gives me a reason to count my blessings...a wake up call to be grateful for the fabulous man I am married to...the wonderful daughters and grandson I have and my terrifc future son-in-law who adores my daughter. Life is good even though my body has betrayed me. I will be having the lumpectomy in a few weeks and radiation afterwards but that is so minor because at one point the surgeon was talking mastectomy. So, I hope you all had a good Easter as I did. He is risen!

Passion Project for Fab Over Fifty!

Guess who was picked to have an article written about her favorite charity?
Me! The longer article is on their site right now but this is the initial announcement that I had be chosen 2011 Passion Project Winner.

Passion Project 2011 Winner
Shirley Enebrad Seattle, Washington


Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Western Washington
Seattle, WA
http://www.candlelighterswa.org/
Cancer is the number ONE disease killer of children in our country (more than all of the other diseases combined). My little boy Cory, was diagnosed with leukemia at age three. He died right after his ninth birthday. One of the things he made me promise before he died, was for me to help other parents going through the same difficulties that we faced alone. I have been involved with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Western WA since the 80's. This organization was started in 1977 by a group of parents. We are a 501c3 that provides direct support to families coping with pediatric cancer and all the issues it brings. Many families have been wiped out financially and had to relocate in order to receive treatment for their child.This meant leaving family, friends, jobs and other support. Most marriages do not survive this type of stress filled situation. Many moms are left to deal with the ill child, siblings and treatments while not being able to work due to the frequency of treatments. Many donors are happy to give to research and we are constantly in need of emergency funds to help the families get by. In the recent economy, our emergency funds requests have quadrupled. The memory of Cory inspires me to continue helping the families. We are the "candlelighters"- we light the way for those families following behind us on the most difficult and pain filled path a family can be forced to travel.

HERE IS WHAT IS ON THEIR SITE RIGHT NOW BUT THE PHOTOS DIDN'T COME THROUGH WHEN I ADDED TO THIS BLOG....

04-05-2011
{Passion Projects} Before FOF Shirley Enebrad’s son died, he made her promise just one thing…


“People don’t want to hear that kids die from cancer. They just want to cover their ears and pretend it’s not happening.” – FOF Shirley Enebrad, Candlelighters of Western Washington



FOF Shirley Enebrad’s son was diagnosed with leukemia in 1980. He was three and a half years old. Before he died, at age nine, he made her promise one thing: “Cory asked me to help other parents going through cancer treatment,” says Shirley.

“At that time, chemotherapies and treatments were evolving, and the idea of emotional support wasn’t important,” she says. “With 85 percent of marriages not surviving chronic illness diagnosis, it can be extremely isolating. I wanted support.”

But, there was not much support to be found in the Seattle area at that time. Shirley started some support groups on her own, but felt a whole organization should be dedicated to the cause. That’s when she discovered Candlelighters, an organization with the mission of giving emotional support to families facing childhood cancer. “It [the mission] wasn’t really happening though,” said Shirley. The organization was working to build Seattle’s first Ronald McDonald House, a very important cause, but not Shirley’s vision of direct, hands-on support for parents and families coping with cancer.

Shirley became president of the Candlelighters in the early 90s and helped refocus the organization. Today, the Candlelighters of Western Washington donates 100 percent of the funds it raises towards helping families directly. This includes funeral and emergency funds for financially devastated families, support groups, bereavement retreats and care bags.

“Many of our board members have gone down the same scary path and are ‘lighting the way’ for those unfortunate people who have been forced to follow us,” says Shirley. “Our needs are not as fun as a kids’ camp…or as exciting and hopeful as research, but for the families whose children are suffering right here and right now, the needs are very REAL.”

Shirley just recently “passed the baton” to a new president but continues to stay active as a grief counselor for the Candlelighters. She has also just written “Over the Rainbow Bridge,” a book about how Cory lived his life to the fullest despite his diagnosis. “I get tired but yes, I think I am fulfilling my promise to Cory,” she says.



Find out more about the Candlelighters of Western Washington and how you can help.

Legacies

The Donald B. Cowan Legacy Choir of Wichita Falls, Texas is unbelievable...
I was fortunate enough to be asked to produce a documentary about a reunion choir. My dear friend Shelly wasn't available so she recommended me. I spent the weekend getting acquainted with folks and I had the privilege of listening to the most amazingly beautiful A Cappella music. I am so thrilled to be working on this project. I met wonderful people...especially the gentleman who is conducting singers from his 32 years as the choir director at Rider H.S. That's ---choir members from 1961 through Mr. Cowan's retirement in 1993. These people have been convening in their home town once a month for a year. They come from all over the U.S. at their own expense because they all feel such a strong need to give back to Mr. Cowan. They are from all walks of life and so many told me how Mr. C saved their lives. WOW! We need more teachers like this wonderfully caring inspiring man. More about this project later....
What a legacy! Speaking of legacies...I met a really awesome twosome who came from Colorado. Friends for twentysome years. Cindy drives 1300 miles roundtrip every month and her friend Burrus came with her this time. Well,it turned out that he needed to read about Cory. It has helped him already and he hasn't finished the book yet. Legacies....

Spring is finally here! Hope for the Future...

It is so beautiful outside today! Spring is finally here and that roundish bright orb in the sky that puts off heat is back after many months of drab gray skies. Seeing the gorgeous Cherry blossoms on the trees and the Daffodils makes me think of a renewed sense of life and gives me hope for the future. With all that has happened in the last few weeks and that is still going on in Japan with the nuclear plants contaminating the food and water there -- I needed a day like this one to cheer me up. I wanted to share my cheerfulness so I packed up a care package to go to my grandson this morning for his Easter basket. It was fun to put cute little eggs, candy and a little something for his savings account in the box. Now that he is a teenager I am not sure if he will even get excited about candy...but I know he will be reminded of Easter and what that means beyond the candy and Peeps. I also included some baby items for the new little guy who is arriving in June. That was fun! The new parents will be tickled to get something for him too. I am praying for the people of Japan and everyone affected by what happened...that includes those devastated economically too like the folks in Hawaii and elsewhere. Let's all count our blessings and think positive thoughts for the future. If we all concentrate hard enough I believe we can make it happen.

Tsunami Warnings and Loving Lady Gaga

Well, another horrific tragedy in Japan...so sad for so many. My personal story about that day is that we were in a coastal beachside resort in Flamingos an area north of Puerto Vallarta. I wasn't using my cell phone because it was on International roaming but I checked it periodically to make sure there wasn't an emergency back home or with the girls. Well, I woke up turned on my phone and there was a text from my daughter Brie. She lives across the road and one short block in from the beach park just across from Canoe's in Lahaina. The text read, "we went to high ground". OMG! I flung the bedding off of me and dashed to the television. There on CNN were the devastating scenes of the waves crushing the boats, cars bobbing like beach balls and of course, the homes being destroyed. I knew when I saw Brie's message that there was a tsunami unleashed and heading towards Hawaii. I texted her back and tried to call too. I didn't care that it was basically 3am where she is...I also tried to get in touch with Keili. I wasn't as worried about her because I knew that her apartment is not that close to Waikiki and in fact is on the eastside of the H-1. So, I waited a while to call her. Of course I woke her and guess what??? She was staying in a hotel at Waikiki! Her roommate's mother was in town and they had spent the night with her...right at the freakin' beach! Several of my hairs turned grey on the spot. That child! Anyway, it turned out to be fine for them. The damage to Maui was on the opposite side of the island and virtually no damage on Oahu. So, as we watched the news coverage we realized that the stupid tsunami was heading for the West coast and that included exactly where we were staying at our beautiful resort in Flamingos. Ha! Well, we went to breakfast and there were people strolling the beach...in the water...out on kayaks, etc. But, the only sign that our resort managers knew something was up was the lack of beach chairs on the sand. Eventually it all worked out and we really never felt nervous or scared (no wonder Keili thinks she's invincible huh?) and we never even saw a blip on the water so it really by-passed our part of Mexico. We felt lucky compared to those poor souls in Japan. And the whole thing prompted us to talk about life death and to take stock in how lucky we were. I am praying for those affected by the earthquake and the tsunami. Since I worked on the documentary "On Shaky Ground" in the beginning of my television career - I know too much, which makes things scary and just enough to keep a clear head but when it is happening and your kids are so far away and potentially in the path of destruction, you just have to take stock.

I also want to add that I am a fan of Lady Gaga. She immediately created a bracelet to support the relief effort in Japan and got it on her webshop. I already liked her because of her project with MAC cosmetics to raise funds for people affected by AIDS especially in Africa. She is a true "Sacred Heart" girl who lives her baptism and the values taught to her by the nuns of the Sacred Heart at 91st Street. Keili's same order from Forest Ridge. These all-girls' schools focus on giving girls their voice and teaching them to think globally with deep commitment to helping others. Go Gaga!

Marie Manucherhi's Radio program June 2nd

I will be a guest on Marie Manucherhi's radio program--- Where Energy & Medicine Meet on June 2nd! Her show is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 1pm PST. It will be awesome. I have attended her evening sessions and they are always fabulous. Can't wait to spend time with her in the studio and chat! Marie archives her programs on her website at www.energyintuitive.com. So, if you miss the interview LIVE you can always go listen to it later at your convenience.

Also planning to sign books on Maui when I am there in mid-May. I will keep you all posted when I get confirmed dates and times. There is a Borders in Kahului and a Barnes and Noble in Lahaina. So excited!

Ciao!

Life is interesting!

My life has been a constant ebb and flow of drama...intrigue...humor and of course sadness. Sparky's passing was peaceful and sad yet knowing that she is having the best time on the other side of the rainbow bridge makes it a happy time too. I facilitated a two day grief workshop the weekend after Sparky departed. It was for bereaved parents whose children passed on from cancer. It was sobering to me as it always is at these retreats. But it helped me get my perspective grounded. Sparky lived to be 98...some of the children I learned about only made it to four. The newest parents to the sad little club of grievers were really raw but everyone who attended was struggling. It broke my heart to have to tell them that the holes in their hearts will never heal - they will just get used to the pain of their loss. It is a harsh truth one that I have learned first hand. I came out the other end relatively okay so I just hope I inspired them to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. That is what our kids want from us...so, if you know anyone who is grieving please give them a hug...tell them you are thinking of them... praying for them if that is your desire but please do NOT give them unsolicited advice. Be mindful of the words of encouragement you use...I heard so much anger and pain come from parents whose loved ones and friends made their pain worse by careless choices of words. Even if you have grieved the loss of a loved one - you cannot know what your friend or loved one is feeling...thinking...experiencing because each of us is an individual. We all see the world differently uniquely. Be mindful of that...