Joseph Lara: Kayla Mueller was an inspiration

I was so impressed by the extraordinary acts of kindness and courage exhibited by the 26-year-old humanitarian aid worker Kayla Mueller, who died at the hands of ISIS. I contacted the Merced Sun-Star and asked if they could publish some of her final letter to her parents (“Kayla’s last letter home”). I was surprised that it was soon published. The Editorial Board expressed their admiration of this wonderful woman (“A bright light of humanity snuffed out by depravity,” Feb. 12).

I am sending copies of the editorial and the letter to all the people that I care for as an example of what an extraordinarily giving person is like.

There are, of course, many others who are giving of themselves to the aid of their fellow human beings who are suffering. They are all around us. Anyone that is doing something to help ease the suffering of others no matter who they are and what form that suffering has taken is acting in the spirit that inspired Kayla Mueller.

This story was originally published February 25, 2015 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Joseph Lara: Kayla Mueller was an inspiration."