The Book Club

Tuesdays with Morrie - "Everyone knows they're going to die" Morrie said, "but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently."

Hi There,

I wonder if you have read Tuesdays with Morrie? I truly believe that you cannot read this book without feeling touched. Without feeling like you want to run out and do everything, see everything, experience everything. I wonder just how many people live their lives as best as they can - unabashedly, unashamedly and blissfully being the best that they can be? I thought I did. Then I read this book.

If you haven't read it, Tuesdays with Morrie is a true account of a period in the authors life. Mitch Albom tells how he reaquaints himself with his favourite former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease, and he is dying. Over the course of fourteen weeks Mitch meets with Morrie every Tuesday, whereby they resume the roles of teacher and student and Morrie reveals what could very well be the meaning of life.

Each week they discuss a different topic and Morrie gives his opinions and insights. They discuss everything from the world and modern culture to love and marriage to getting old, getting sick and dying. Mitch tells the story with such honest emotion, and such obvious love and respect for Morrie, that the reader feels as if they know Morrie personally. The reader feels exhilarated at every epiphany as well as love and loss for a man that they had never known. The book is short, only 192 pages, but it is powerful. I have not spoken to anyone that has read it that hasn't taken something away from Morrie's teachings and his philosophies.

So what did I take away from this book? What was the part that made a bell in my head go ding? For me it was the realisation that life is not about material posessions. Its not about how much money you have, or the new flat screen TV or brand name clothing. It is about living! I found myself realising that it didn't matter if we lived in a smaller house in a smaller town further away from the city. This meant that our mortgage was not as big, so we didn't have to work as hard to make ends meet and we could spend more time with each other. I learned, through this book, that the best thing I can give my daughter is the foundation for a full and happy life. I can teach her compassion, and respect and empathy. I can teach her how to play, and sing and dance and have fun. I can show her that love and honesty and being a good person will ensure that she is always happy and fulfilled. I also took comfort in Morries attitude towards death. We will all die one day, and the sooner we accept it the sooner we can get on with the business of living. I particularly like Morries little story -

The story is about a little wave, bobbing along in the ocean and having a grand old time. He's enjoying the wind and the fresh air - until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.
"My God, this is terrible," the wave says. "Look what is going to happen to me!"
Then along came another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and says "Why do you look so sad?"
The first wave says, "You don't understand! We're all going to crash! All of us are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?"
The second wave says, "No, you don't understand. You're not a wave, you're part of the ocean."

I finished this book wishing that I, too, had known this amazing man and hoping that I would never forget the lessons he was teaching. I know that it sounds a little corny, but if you have read it, I am sure you at least sensed the spirituality in Mitch Alboms writing.

Did you find "Tuesdays with Morrie" to be as meaningful as I did? Could you empathise with the characters? Did you ever have a teacher like Morrie? Someone who taught you things so profound that you will never forget them? What was it they taught you? If you liked this book, you may also enjoy reading "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" also by Mitch Albom.

I hope you enjoyed April's book. For May I will be reading "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L James. Have you heard the hype? I am looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about

Until then, happy reading