Tuesdays with Morrie
By Mitch Albom
Death, death, death…because none of us are getting out of this life alive, right? While I cannot say what this knowing means to you, my dear reader, I can share a little about what death means to me and what this book reminded me of. When I think about the pain that my loved ones will experience when I die….I ask myself,
What will they have to comfort themselves with in my absence?
What do they know of me now, while I am here?
What can I do now, or be better at now, that will ensure my memories aren’t in vain?
Remembering that I won’t be here forever helps me to live with intention; I try to listen for understanding, work to release the pains that bind me, and forgive people who treat me wrong (even when I feel otherwise…cause you know, revenge). Remembering my final exit shifts my perspective, and I feel, as sure as the aging in my bones, that awareness of death helps me appreciate each day and all that comes with it.
I wonder…when we encounter someone with a terminal illness, and we hear them speak on the importance of the intangibles of life (relationships, family, forgiveness, compassion), how much of what we hear stays with us? Do we give ourselves a gold star, feeling a temporary sense of pride and purpose because ‘ahh, we now see’, then resume business as normal? Which seeds of acknowledgment of the essence of life grab ahold of us and change how we live?
Honestly, sometimes the way we live ‘ain’t it’ and it takes someone around us dying for us to wake up (yikes, but true).
Frosty the Snowman dusted my neck of the woods while finishing this book, so I’m in the house as I type this (just enough snow for me to work from home 🙂). Was it a good idea to finish this book about death while there’s gloom overhead? Who knows. But, when my spirit and mind are gloomy, I remember that even when physically alone, I’m always with myself (so that makes two people, right), and I’m never truly alone alone (yes I typed it twice). I have a love for life and what I’ve received and shared that has carried me thus far, friends who have both gone before me (as in, died) and some that I’ve left behind (and vice versa), while others remain trekking beside me.
Ok ok, that’s enough.
I hope you don’t let your avoidance of the dreaded “D” word prevent you from listening to this book. I hope you check in with yourself, and with your life, and what it means to you. I hope you pause and evaluate your doings…and ask yourself if you are truly ‘being’. I enjoyed this book, and if you can, this one is worth the audiobook version (25th anniversary edition). This book is a gentle but genuine reminder that we will all leave here…one day…some today…some tomorrow….all eventually.
Tuesdays with Morrie was a quick listen, but worth its weight in meaning. I recommend.
Plotitude 