The Most Beautiful Rose

I really did not know her that well, but in another sense, we knew each other deeply. Her name was Marnie. Professionally, her name was Dr. Rose.

She appeared on Houston Medical, a 2002 ABC reality show featuring the patients and staff of Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. She had been diagnosed with brain tumor, and was both a physician and a patient.

Marnie was always positive, both on screen and off. Another thing that made her special was her desire always to do more. She went to the Soviet Union three times to work with the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident and also continued her cancer research during medical school.

As a youngster, Marnie refused to let her family take many photos or videos of her, but she allowed the producers of Houston Medical to broadcast videos of her medical condition before six million viewers. Why? The answer is simple: If it could help even one person suffering from cancer to face the next day, then that was worth her uneasiness.

Marnie succeeded in helping millions, not merely people living with cancer, but also those dealing with ordinary life. Marnie taught us so much. She taught us the definition of courage and bravery, and the meaning of dignity. She taught us the importance of a family's love. During the six weeks that the program was broadcast throughout the nation, she inspired everyone to believe that one should never give up.

Marnie's condition gradually deteriorated. She and her family continued to receive pessimistic news from the doctors. Then one day, I finally heard some encouraging news from her mother. "Mike, we finally have some good news," she said, "The new medication is shrinking the tumor!"

That week, my father, who was Marnie's rabbi, and I both left town feeling excited about Marnie's improvement. Therefore, we were all stunned to learn that Marnie had passed away that Friday due to a stroke.

As Rabbi Brian Strauss said during Marnie's eulogy, "Rabbi Todd Doctor's beautiful metaphor comparing life to a candle really describes Marnie." The metaphor says, "One can do three things with a candle: Snuff it out prematurely, allow it to burn out naturally, or transfer the flame to another candle."

Marnie Rose's candle was extinguished on that traumatic Friday, but not before it had the chance to kindle many other flames. Marnie's spirit will never completely fade away. Her family, her friends, and the countless patients, colleagues, and people whose lives she touched will never forget her.

That is why I believe that the most beautiful rose is the Marnie Rose.

Every year there is a fund raising event to fight brain cancer and to help Marnie's children at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital. To find out how you can help, please visit RunForTheRose.com.

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