If you are looking for a book that not only puts you on an emotional rollercoaster but also makes you reflect on how you live life, look no further than Mitch Albom’s, "Tuesdays with Morrie."
The renowned sportswriter credits his success to Morrie, who was his professor 20 years prior to his battle with ALS. ALS is a fatal disease in which the body slowly deteriorates until the individual is unable to perform even the most basic tasks.
It didn't take much to please Morrie. He loved to dance, as well as enlighten the students who had the privilege to take in his wisdom. His persona was uplifting throughout his battle with the fatal disease. As his body deteriorated, he always found a way to make the most of what he had for the time being.
Mitch chronicled his time with Morrie by reflecting on events that occurred from the time he was a student to when he was by his bedside merely days before Morrie’s death. Mitch would travel every Tuesday to provide Morrie with food, aid and, most importantly, company. This surely kept Morrie’s morale high. It appeared that Mitch went to Morrie for advice more so than the courtesy of keeping someone company. I noticed Mitch was yearning to evaluate his life decisions and learning on how to improve upon his current situation although he was able to lead a successful career.
What truly captivated my interest was how each time Mitch and Morrie met; they always talked about general concepts in life. These concepts included love, forgiveness, the meaning of life and more. Within each concept, Morrie provided morals that were not only applicable to Mitch, but also the readers.
My favorite chapter was when Mitch and Morrie were discussing how to live a meaningful life. Both go into detail about being grateful for what you have and the importance of devotion. Morrie tells Mitch that he should devote himself “to loving others” and to devote himself to “creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” There were many nuggets of wisdom Morrie provides to Mitch, but I found this to be the most meaningful and applicable statement to me as a young adult.
I look at life from the perspective of how we only have one opportunity to live it. Shouldn’t you want to make the most of that one chance and make an impact? I want to make an impact to the degree where others benefit from my actions. Inevitably, everyone dies. Regardless of how one looks at it, it’s going to happen.
Of course, people can mourn over the death of the person. Morrie accepts his fate, but throughout the novel, he finds time to talk to the many people who have met him and provides them with wisdom. Wisdom is not some concrete form of information. Each person has lived their life differently and have thus experienced different events. Therefore, because Morrie is providing information to people who need his assistance, he is making an impact towards society.
When death occurs, the body eventually decays until it is no more. However, the spirit of an individual can live on due to the impact that person has left towards the rest of society.
I find a dignified death to be when people remember the individual not for who they are, but what they have done, and how that individual has influenced the actions of others. The degree to which a person impacts society does not matter as long as that individual is selfless in his or her actions and is compassionate in what he or she does.
"Tuesdays with Morrie" will always be one of my favorite books. Morrie becomes stronger despite his deteriorating body. The compassion Morrie encompassed was unbreakable throughout his battle with ALS, which made his eventual death hard to cope with at the end of the novel.
I will always have a great deal of respect towards Morrie for his wisdom and compassion towards others.
Rest in peace, Morrie.
