I am reading Tuesdays with Morrie, written by Mitch Albom. Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc. published it in 2007. I focused on chapter twelve and thirteen: The Professor and The Fourth Tuesday.
Precis
Mitch introduces Morrie's life before he became a privileged professor of sociology. Both of Morrie's parents were immigrants, and a lack of money was one of many challenges that faced their family. Morrie's mother became ill and passed away when he and his brother were young. His father was left to take care of the two boys by himself, while still struggling to support the household. His home became a depressing place, especially when his brother became sick with polio. For a time, Morrie looked to religion in hope of bettering his family from the poor conditions they all lived in. When Morrie's father remarried, the new wife brought a stronger balance to the home that had been absent after his mother passed away. She provided love and care to Morrie and his brother. She also encouraged them to see that education could be an escape path out of poverty. This is where Morrie's passion to learn began.
Morrie shared freely his ideas about death and what he felt made life meaningful with Mitch. Although Mitch was a young, healthy person, he was willing to learn. Morrie's ideas and insights helped Mitch to reflect on how he viewed his own life. Morrie studied the practices of living and dying used by people from other religions and cultures. For example, Morrie learned that Buddhists strive to live every day as though it were their last. From his reflections on life and death, Morrie comes to the following realizations: people don't think about death until they're in the position to die; people are deluded into believing that the pursuit of careers and money are more important than the people they love until they come to realize that they may lose them. To emphasize this point, Morrie explains to Mitch that he appreciates the view outside of his window more than Mitch does because he knows that his time for looking out of windows is coming to an end. Mitch makes an attempt at feeling what Morrie feels, but can't see what Morrie sees, so he gives up.
When confronted with the reality of death, Morrie realized that even the small things in life that are so easily ignored are important and should not be taken for granted.
Quotes and Responses
"He did this to keep her memory alive. Incredibly, Morrie had been told by his father never to talk about her... For years, the only evidence Morrie had of his mother was the telegram announcing her death. He had hidden it the day it arrived."
This early experience with death had an impact on Morrie and influenced the way that he looked at his own death. Morrie's father chose to erase memories of his wife because it might have been easier to handle and deal with his emotions, but this choice to not speak of Morrie's mother caused Morrie to be doubtful, and caused her memory to become cloudy. He understood that death's permanence brings doubtfulness, and holding on to memorabilia is important. This is why he allowed Mitch to document the end of his life through their meetings because he realized that even these conversations had value.
This early experience with death had an impact on Morrie and influenced the way that he looked at his own death. Morrie's father chose to erase memories of his wife because it might have been easier to handle and deal with his emotions, but this choice to not speak of Morrie's mother caused Morrie to be doubtful, and caused her memory to become cloudy. He understood that death's permanence brings doubtfulness, and holding on to memorabilia is important. This is why he allowed Mitch to document the end of his life through their meetings because he realized that even these conversations had value.
"To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That's better. That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you're living."
Morrie wanted to be able to live more fully, and realized that to do that, he would have to be accepting of his death, and "prepared" to die. I'm not so sure how a person could actually prepare for their death.
Morrie wanted to be able to live more fully, and realized that to do that, he would have to be accepting of his death, and "prepared" to die. I'm not so sure how a person could actually prepare for their death.
"Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"
I thought that this was the most important thing that Morrie said. It summed everything he had been saying into one concrete statement. I interpreted it as once somebody is aware of their imminent death, they are more likely to cherish each moment, and understand that time is precious. Through this, they take the small things in life as well as friends and family less for granted, and find the beauty in things that others wouldn't, like the window. Death gives people more appreciation for their lives.
I thought that this was the most important thing that Morrie said. It summed everything he had been saying into one concrete statement. I interpreted it as once somebody is aware of their imminent death, they are more likely to cherish each moment, and understand that time is precious. Through this, they take the small things in life as well as friends and family less for granted, and find the beauty in things that others wouldn't, like the window. Death gives people more appreciation for their lives.
I felt like I could relate well to the idea that one must appreciate the small things in life as to not take things for granted. When my mother passed away, I was sensitive about any of her possessions being misplaced or given to anybody but the immediate family. My father had sent off some of her remaining clothing to his sisters, and as a result, I grew really angry. My father felt like he was just cleaning the clutter in our home, and I felt like he was removing my mother, even though she was already gone. Unlike Morrie's father, I am able to speak freely about my mother, which I can sincerely appreciate.
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