I can see why Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir
Heather Summerhayes Cariou promised her sister Pamela, she would tell their story. Summerhayes Cariou has accomplished this in this beautifully written book about pain, hope, and a family pulling together through a crisis.
A child who is dying says, in that case, I’d better had some fun before I go. The child who sits next to the child who is dying asks, how dare I have fun when my sister is dying. ~Heather Summerhayes Cariou
Imagine being a 6 year old and the younger sister you adore is given a diagnosis where her longevity is uncertain. Feeling guilty about why you are the healthy one and sad because you don’t ever want to lose your sister. Yet, you want to enjoy the time you do have together.
When I first started reading, I had never heard the term Sixtyfive Roses. Pamela pronounced her condition as Sixtyfive Roses as many children with Cystic Fibrosis call it. Pamela was born in 1954 before anyone knew what Cystic Fibrosis was or even how to treat it. You can read a heartwarming interview with Pam before her death on Sixtyfiverosesthebook.com.
However, it is not all sadness. It is about love and how it endures through tough times. Forgiveness even when those closest to us hurt us. Joy and hope when you should have none. The relationship the sisters had brought me tears the entire book – it is a beautiful relationship.
Through all her struggles, Pamela graduated high school, went to college, and became an owner of a Nursery School for 3 years. Pamela defied the odds and lived to be 26 years old. It is an incredible story you do not want to miss.
If you have a child with CF, this is a must read book. If you don’t have a child with CF, read this book to gain appreciation and live every day to the fullest just as Pam. There is truth in the Tim McGraw song, “Live like you were dying.”
Eva Longoria and UnbeliEVAable Productions have optioned the film rights to Sixtyfive Roses and I look forward to seeing this story on film in the near future.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
It sounds like a wonderful and inspiring book, thank you for sharing your review with us!
Thank You for your review!! i cannot wait to read.
I have a 15 year old daughter that has cystic fibrosis, I have not read this book but I will because of your review. I love your blog!
Thanks
Sounds very interesting.
I am already crying! Thanks for sharing this…
Great review. I am looking forward to reading this one!
I can’t wait to read this book then pass it to my sister
This sounds like a definite must read book. Thanks for sharing your review!
I won this a few months back from another bogger, and finished reading it a few weeks back and passed it on to a coworker who’s nephew has CF. I began crying in the very beginning of the book and never stopped til I was done. It was an absolutely great book. I hope whoever wins it in your giveaway enjoys it.
After reading something like My SIster’s Keeper and crying for DAYS afterward, I don’t know if I could read this, though I want to, since my daughter has had the CF tests and that waiting was awful. Luckily she was negative!
This sounds like a real tearjecker. I love it.
Betty
I am very close to my sister and think this would be a great book to share with her and would be a good opportunity to tell her how much I love her.
Oh I really want to read this book! I love tearjerkers! Thankyou for sharing your review. I love your blog also.
What a moving story – certainly inspirational, as well.
Wow, I can not wait to read it and I will be sure to have a box of tissues at hand when I do!
Would love to read and enjoy this book? Lost my younger sister and miss her terribly.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for the excellent review. I have heard of this book in passing, but did not realize the details of the story. Sounds like a must read!
~Tracy
I had never heard of this book but it is now on my “must read” list after reading your review.