Cole...I love You to the Moon and Back

by Aaron Dean Ruotsala

Aaron Dean Ruotsala, 24-year-old husband, father, business owner, and pilot shares a true story about a heart-wrenching experience he calls the best and worst experience of a lifetime. This story will provoke you to laughter, tears, and cause you to examine yourself and your role as a human on this temporal journey. His prayer is that all who read this amazing story will learn from the experience in which they had no choice, to realize that when life brings you to the darkest, deepest, loneliest point imaginable, you will recognize what really matters in life. So, please laugh, cry, share, examine, and mostly enjoy this book that is certain to make you ask the question: "What if this happened to me?" The reality is that it could. Recommended It's amazing how God used a single event to speak to and transform the lives of thousands of people. Three-year-old Cole Ruotsala's short eight-week battle with cancer and his ultimate death, was one such event. The story of this brave little man and his courage and compassion through the toughest of times, is a touching example of God's love and strength in the face of death. Also, the honesty with which it is written will make you face some important questions in your life. I know that you will be encouraged and challenged by this book. Pastor Bruce Estola Ironwood, MI

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have wondered how I would handle being told my child is sick. Very sick. In listening to this audio version of the book Cole...I Love You to the Moon and Back, I can only hope that I would respond with the same amount of love, praise, and faith with which the Ruotsala family did.

This book walks you through 8 weeks of life as a young family battles terminal cancer in their oldest child - three-year-old Cole. Despite the incredible pain of loosing a child they praised God for His strength and His faithfulness to them in what has to be one of the most painful trials of life. Their testimony brings such glory to God and of His love for us.

God knew the number of days that Cole's life would last and He used those few fleeting years to touch lives in more ways than many of us adults can even dream of doing. Sometimes the biggest blessings come in the smallest of packages.

While it is a sad story, it is also an amazing story to read and was such a comfort and encouragement to me. It helped me look beyond my own plans for life and remember to live in the moment...the hear and now...for tomorrow has no guarantees.

Cole...I Love You to the Moon and Back is written by Aaron Ruotsala, the father of Cole, and is a great way to adjust and re-focus your perspective on what it truly important in life. Their story of joy and pain will inspire you to live for Christ and to love those around you. You may shed a tear or two...but you will also walk away with hope.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength and faith of this family is amazing. I am not sure that I would have such grace under these circumstances. They set up a Caring Bridge site and through it received much comfort and strength, but I believe at the same time they also gave as much as they received. Much of the book is the journal entries that were Aaron posted at Caring Bridge as well as many of the entries that guests left. This little boy had over 600,000 hits on his website within 2 months. He touched so many people, many of whom shared their stories of renewed marriages, renewed faith, new faith, due to Cole and his illness - with the majority of these people having never met him or his family. This book makes you take a look at what is important in your life - and realize that these people may not be there tomorrow - so make the most of them and your relationships with them today! I highly recommend reading this book.

The family has set up a foundation at www.colesfoundation.com which provides support to families in crisis, especially those who have children fighting cancer. Everyone, whether they read this book or not, should visit this site. You can also read more about Cole's story at his Caring Bridge page.

As an aside, I had started reading this book before we left to go skiing last week - and finished the book at Big Powderhorn Mountain - in Ironwood, Michigan - where the Ruotsala's are from - if that isn't a strange coincidence, I don't know what is!

[Zacksmom Okon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After living through this life-changing event with this family, reading this book has been long awaited. First off -- you should know this family changed my life forever. Now, with that being said -- don't pass this book by because you think you know the "story". Yes, it is about Cole (obviously) -- but you may not know it's about YOU too. It's about YOUR relationships with your family, friends, neighbors, strangers. You will analyze who you are in Christ in ways that no other read will convict. You will bite your tongue or think twice when little Johnny is pouring a glass of grape juice and more ends up on the floor than the cup. You will also learn that Christians are the Body of Christ -- no matter what denomination. When you turn the last page, you will FEEL renewed! This is the first day of the rest of your life -- don't waste it!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will show you the importance of making every moment count...As none of us know how many moments we have to share with our loved ones.