sixtyfive roses
a sister's memoir
by
Heather
Summerhayes Cariou
When author Heather Summerhayes Cariou
was six years old, she promised to die
with her little sister Pamela, who’d
been diagnosed with what Pam called
“Sixtyfive Roses” – Cystic Fibrosis.
Pam defied the limits of a dire
prognosis, and in doing so taught
Heather how to live. Together they
discovered where to find joy and meaning
in an often painful and uncertain
world. Their faith was shaken at every
turn, but never lost.
This
beautifully written memoir offers an
unsparing eyewitness account of the
pain, hope, and valor of a family in
crisis as it falls apart and pulls
itself together again and again, only to
emerge stronger and more loving.
The heart of the story explores the
relationship between the two sisters -
one devastatingly ill, the other healthy
but burdened with guild - as they
journey through childhood, adolescence,
and young adulthood.
Readers will
be challenged, inspired and profoundly
moved by
Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir,
a provocative, funny and deeply honest
literary memoir, the powerful story of
two sisters growing up in the shadow of
a fatal illness, and a family fighting
for a child's life.
Reviews:
“I couldn’t put it down. The tale of
these two sisters, how they laughed,
cried and LIVED, is completely
enthralling.”
- Angela Lansbury
"I
have never had any interest in
non-fiction...Having read
Sixtyfive Roses my thoughts have
changed. Over the last 14 months I have
written countless reviews, exclaiming
that I had found amazing books that must
be read. They all pale in comparison. In
fact I feel so strongly about what I
have just read that I think I will need
to take a few days to digest it, and
learn from the powerful messages
delivered within it. It could be a while
before I’m ready to pick up another
book."
- Claire
Swindlehurst,
Blue Archipelago
“This memoir is an astounding testament
to the strength of family, but also to
the reality of illness and a person’s
spiritual growth...readers will not be
able to put the book down. One can’t
help but be moved in reading it.”
- Book Review Journal
"Why should you read a book about the
protracted death from Cystic Fibrosis of
a beautiful young woman named Pam
Summerhayes, who only lived to the age
of 26 years? Because this book is not
about death; it is about life, spiritual
growth, and the ability of humans to
stand up, dust off, and keep going, even
when their hearts are broken.
Possibility exists in the direst of
circumstances, and Pam did her best to
share this message with those around
her."
- Cecilia Sepp, Book Launch
Cafe
About the Author
Heather summerhayes
cariou
was born, raised and educated in
Ontario, Canada. After two years at
Ryerson University Theatre School in
Toronto, and a third at Sheridan College
in Oakville, she graduated with a High
Honors diploma in Media Arts. Ms. Cariou
made her professional debut with the
company at the St. Lawrence Centre for
the Arts, where she remained for three
seasons. She also became a founding
member of the Center for Actor’s Study
in Toronto, and subsequently enjoyed a
career lasting twenty years, acting
professionally on stages across Canada
and off-Broadway. She is a founding
member of the Galaxy Writers Workshop in
New Jersey, and sits on the Board of the
International Women’s Writing Guild. Ms.
Cariou emigrated from Canada to New York
City in 1983, and now lives in New
Jersey. She is working on a novel, and
co-producing the feature film "Make
Believe" with her husband.
As the daughter of
the founders of the Canadian Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation, Ms. Cariou has been
involved in fund-raising and promotion
for over forty years.
5% of
proceeds from the sale of the book will
be donated to Cystic Fibrosis
foundations in Canada and the US.
Visit Heather's Website
