My first live TV interview. Thought it went pretty well.

http://fox13now.com/2012/04/03/author-pulls-from-personal-loss-to-help-others-with-grief/

Emm's book will be in bookstores in the next few weeks

A reminder that we are all Dragonflies.

Eulogy Story : Dragonfly

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

Not sure who the author is

My mission is three fold:

1. Help get more funds for pediatric cancer research. When breast cancer gets 584 million for clinical trials and research and all pediatric cancers combined only get 26 million, it begs the question WHY?

2. Help people know what are normal thoughts, feelings and actions when grieving a loss.

3. Help people know the wrong and right things to say to those who are grieving

The starting point is to purchase a copy of Emm's book Dragonfly Wings for Emmalee available on Amazon and www.Dragonflywings4emmalee.com

Emmalee would be turning 12 on March 5. We miss her but her mission continues.

To get a copy of her book visit www.DragonflyWings4Emmalee.com

Recent press about her book is below!

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19269505

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865550842/When-grieving-the-loss-of-a-child-feeling-is-healing.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865550397/Father-shares-memories-of-daughter-Emmalee-and-gives-advice-on-grieving.html

Having cancer is like having a time bomb inside of you, but you cant see the how much time is left. Many people came to us claiming to have the way to diffuse the bomb inside of Emmalee. They presented us with juices, machines, and various homeopathic cures, claiming that time would be added to Emmalee's bomb. However, these cures were untested in the rigors of battle.

Even science had no cure options for Emmalee. Someday we may know what diseases lurk inside us and I pray that we will have ways to prevent these diseases from manifesting. I also pray that one day we will have a cure for cancer. This video is my best shot for now as to what each of us can do.

http://youtu.be/E1nA2injxVk

An explanation of grief and loss. My experiences with grief and Emmalee's book. Check out the link below.

There are no stages to grief

To my faithful, silent readers of this blog, and only to you right now, I am offering a 20% off coupon code at check out. It will only be available to you guys for one day only. 12:00am today 1/13/12 till 12:00am on 1/14/12.

So go to www.dragonflywings4emmalee.com and buy your book today

Where it says coupon code type in "dragonfly"

Thanks,

Steve

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=18814407

Above is a great recipe inspired by Emmalee's love for salt and vinegar potato chips.

To purchase a book go to www.dragonflywings4emmalee.com

I have been receiving some amazing feedback about Emm's book. Some can't put it down and others have been strengthened by her story.

"I could have read it from start to finish in a day if "life" didn't get in the way. I couldn't put it down! I've put off sending you feedback because I am at a loss for words to tell you how this book made me feel. As a parent of 3 of my own children I can only imagine the void I would have in my life without one of them. But the book was written in a way that I was able to feel maybe a fraction of the intense pain, long suffering, healing, & most importantly the love our Savior has for each of us. It touched me to the core. I believe that Emm and I could sit and chat for hours about our love of food together! She is a kindred spirit to me where that's concerned

"Just finished reading your book. Loved it!!! It truly inspired me and I think everyone should read it. Thanks for writing it and sharing your personal experiences and thoughts." Mary Ann

"I just read your book and I’m so glad you wrote it! It is a very powerful book. I didn’t want to stop reading (except to blow my nose and compose myself after agood cry). I just fell in love with Emm! I had to stop reading a few times (okay all through the book) because I kept crying but it was well worth it. I’m glad you wrote so openly and honestly. It felt like you really put your heart into it. When I was reading and even now
just thinking about Emm I can feel her love and it makes my eyes water. Thank you writing this and allowing us (the world) to read it." Michelle R.

Friends, this is a MUST read book. I just finished it myself and it is life changing...I highly recommend ordering it. DeAnn

Just finished the book!! AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing such a tender part of your life! I know that Emm is near your family and is so proud of all the good you are doing in her name! Thanks again Steve! God bless you and your sweet family! Jodi

Steve I sat down and read Emmalee's book from cover to cover in a couple of days and I am so at a loss for words to describe how it made me feel. Steve, thank you so much with your courage to write it and to get it published, and to share this very painful part of yourself. I feel like I've known you my whole life. Much love and gratitude, and for a very beautiful 2012! Suzy

What would you be thinking? All kids with cancer are the bravest kids in the world. Emmalee heard people tell us how they knew someone who died of cancer. I was in the grocery store and a woman came up to me and in front of Emm told me how someone in her family died of cancer.

I don't believe she had malicious intent at all. She was just trying to identify with me and my situation. I think we all have put our foot in our mouth at times, but this happened frequent enough that it became annoying. I never knew, until the end of Emm's life, how often she thought of death. She told us, while she sobbed uncontrollably, that she thought of death every day. Scans, doctors appointments, comments like these and being bald kept these thoughts too close to her innocent mind.

I think we all need to be a little more careful about what we say and in what company we say it. Be careful when you are trying to identify with someone that your not trying to one up them or being insensitive to someone who might be listening.

Emm was strong and brave and pushed past many of these challenges. She taught us how to face death with strength and courage. We need more people like Emmalee

One more story that I love about Emmalee was when she was in the hospital and in a lot of pain. It was 2am and she called out to me to come pray with her. I was lying in the makeshift chair/bed in the hospital room. She said the prayer I will never forget her sweet, sincere prayer. She thanked Heavenly Father for things, then she started to cry and asked Heavenly Father to help her get better. She ended her prayer with, Please help that no matter what happens we will all still have faith.

True faith and inspiration from an angel.

To read more about Emmalee visit http://www.dragonflywings4emmalee.com Her story will strengthen and inspire.