Ruthe Rosen wrote Never Give Up about her daughter, Karla, a previously very active and healthy 14-year-old girl was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She had been given just a year to live and the treatments needed to shrink the tumor would cause intense sickness, weakness and negative side effects. It seemed as though the more weak she became the more unwavering her faith was. Karla always seemed at peace from the initial diagnosis though her journey and to the end of her short life while losing her battle. Ruthe also created The Let It Be Foundation after her daughter, to serve families facing similar devastating circumstances in their community.
I was fortunate enough to have the time to read the entire book on a plane ride to Arizona this past week. I could not put down the book until I finished it. Rarely does a story bring tears to my eyes, but being a mother of three and imagining the pain this family went through was overwhelming. There were countless times my eyes filled up. Not always tears of sadness, but of happiness and amazement of how such a young girl could have such strong faith when her parents were at times unable.
Karla’s story is a real inspiration. She always seemed very accepting of her circumstances and never complained. She left a beautiful imprint on the heart of everyone she met. Never Give Up is an inspiring story that will encourage anyone who has a little faith to embrace it and someone without to discover it.
I wish we could all be so strong in the face of adversity–sounds like a story we could learn from. God bless Karla’s family.