Tuesdays with Morrie
by Mitch Albom
"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher. Someone older who understood you when you were young and searching, who helped you see the world as a more profound place, and gave you advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of your mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Tuesdays With Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift to the world." --From the publisher. (image & summary from worldcat.org)
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Several people have recommended this book recently. I read many reviews in which people said the book is shallow with one person saying it's like a collection of greeting cards. Others commented it's the most inspiring and profound book they've ever read.
The author and Morrie don't discuss God, but I found that most of Morrie's observations are rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think that's why this book and Morrie have resonated with many readers.
Morrie determined long before he got sick to create a culture around himself that made him and others feel good about themselves. “Morrie ... had developed his own culture – long before he got sick. Discussion groups, walks with friends, dancing to his music … He took more time eating and looking at nature ... He had created a cocoon of human activities – conversation, interaction, affection – and it filled his life like an overflowing soup bowl.”
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
“Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
Morrie commented that most people just don't realize how "important" marriage is.
"...the biggest defect we human beings have is our shortsightedness. We don’t see what we could be. We should be looking at our potential, stretching ourselves into everything we can become.” jht - We are children of God. Our divine heritage gives us unlimited potential.
Ted Koppel interviewed Morrie for television several times. During their last interview, Morrie says, “Ted, this disease is knocking at my spirit. But it will not get my spirit. It’ll get my body. It will not get my spirit.” (italics in original) jht - Our spirits will continue into the next life.
Morrie – “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” jht - We would add to this, death ends life here on earth, then there is life on the other side. Relationships can continue on the other side.
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