Author(s): Nora McInerny Purmort

Biography

This isn't a cancer story. It's a love story. In 2006, Aaron met Nora. She doesn't remember this. In 2010, Aaron and Nora met again and fell in love, fast and hard. Less than a year later, Aaron, aged thirty-two, had two seizures at work which led to an MRI, revealing a brain tumour in his frontal lobe. They immediately decided to get married. After three years of not just being alive but living life to its fullest, Aaron and Nora decided to write Aaron's obituary together. It begins, 'Purmort, Aaron Joseph age 35, died peacefully at home on November 25 after complications from a radioactive spider bite that led to years of crime-fighting and a year-long battle with a nefarious criminal called Cancer, who has plagued our society for too long.' Aaron's obituary soon spread to every corner of the Internet, from DailyMailOnline and Time.com to TheWashingtonPost.com and HuffingtonPost.com. Their story struck a chord. In It's Okay To Laugh (Crying is Cool Too), Nora takes readers on her journey with Aaron. What she discovers is that even the darkest of times reveal the very best in us and the very best in others. Their joys are happier. Their sadness is more poignant.
Life is more intense in every way. Aaron taught Nora that there is beauty and humour to be found in even the darkest moments.