Caron's Courage: A Mother's Memoir of Love and Loss - Inspirational True Story for Grieving Parents & Families

First off, I should say that I didn't buy this book from Amazon - it was lent to me by a friend - but I can't let the opportunity to write a few words about it pass me by.I would recommend that you have a big box of tissues next to you when you read 'Next to You'. I bawled my eyes out through most of the book, because it is written with such raw emotion, desperation, grief, honesty and love, that I couldn't help but be moved to tears by it.However, despite the tragic subject matter, it left me feeling uplifted, and wishing that I'd known Caron Keating, and that I knew Gloria Hunniford - you'll know exactly why I say this if you've read/when you've read the book. Each of them, on their own, is inspiration enough - together, they must have been an invincible force.In fact, I don't think I've ever read a book which has left such an impression on me. Of course, I knew what the ending would be, but all the way through, I was willing it to be something different.That said, this is not a book filled with misery, although it is terribly sad. Rathermore, it is a story of love, courage, hope, positivity, perseverance and sheer self-belief. Yes, there are many parts which lay bare the total desperation of the situation, and how those most affected by it dealt with it, but without them, this story would be incomplete. (I hope that doesn't sound disrespectful).However, these are the parts which, to me, best conveyed the sheer guts and determination of Caron Keating, and what a truly remarkable woman she must have been.How Gloria Hunniford had the strength to write such a personal and in-depth story of Caron's battle with cancer, I do not know - her heart must have been breaking on every page. For sure, I respectfully doff my cap to her.Considering the subject matter, it may seem strange to some that I didn't want this beautifully-written, heart-wrenching book to end, but I truly didn't.I can't recommend it highly enough.Incidentally, I have recently bought 'Always With You' (I guess you'd call it a sequel), from Amazon, which I will also review when I've finished reading it.