(Started: August 07, 2010; Finished: August 12, 2010)
Summary/Description:
Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound 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 this 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, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?
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. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class" lessons in how to live.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world. Now the best-selling memoir of all time, Tuesdays with Morrie began as a modest labor of love to help pay some of Schwartz’s medical bills. Today, the book has sold more than 14 million copies in more than 50 editions around the world. (From Shelfari)
Review: 5 stars Source: Borrowed from a friend Shelf: Goodreads, Shelfari Available on: Amazon
It was really inspiring. It will give the readers new philosophies or perspectives in life. It will give you the strength to actually face our fear of dying or the thought of death. We always see death as a negative thing. But after you read this book, Morrie will make you realize that it can also turn out to be the opposite.
I guess I agree with Morrie. I remember my late grandmother again. She didn't need material things to make her feel better and special. All she needed was her family and friends. The love and care we showed her until her last breath. That was one of the things Morrie is pointing out to Mitch that power and money doesn't matter when you are dying. What will matter in the end is the people; the love and care you will receive from the people around you.
Her grandmother had told her that people die three times. First, when they physically die, second, when they're put in the ground never to be seen on earth again, and third, when no one remains alive with their memories.
"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it." "Okay." "Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?" "Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?" According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer. (From Goodreads)
My friend Abi lend me this book of hers which is a tear-jerker. And yes it is, especially in the first part of the book when Matt died. At first, it made me excited especially the late night encounters of Anna and Matt.
Sneaking out.Watching the stars.Talking about their dreams and the things they like.About them.Their feelings.Their love.Their secret.A promise.(which Frankie shouldn't know)
Such events are really electrifying. But when Matt died, it totally changed the emotions reflected in the story. That is why I agree with some quotes from the book (as seen on my tumblr).
It isREALLYhard to lose someone you love. Especially if that person died. I remember when my grandmother passed away. Everyone was trying to comfort me. It was nice of them to be concerned. But it was difficult. They will say words of comfort until they don’t have any words left to say. Some will ask how are you feeling? When they do know that you’re not okay. Some will ask what happened? Which will make you cry even more. Some will say that they know how it feels? When they really don’t.
What made it more difficult for me was when I saw my dad cry. It just breaks your heart when you see your father’s vulnerability. It will make you cry easily. He is supposed to be our strength, our strong foundation. The one who should be the tough one in such rough times. That is why it hurts even more when we see them cry. But sometimes you have to be tough yourself to endure the pain.
I remember, that’s what I did when I saw him cry. I tried not to cry in front of them especially to my sisters so that they can also lean on me. I showed them that I can also be their strength. That explains why I am tough as a rock at times.
Anyway, enough of my personal drama. Back to the book. The book teaches us about letting go and moving on. The time will eventually heal such pain. That sooner or later everything will be fine. Though it is painful, we have to let go of the things that made us remember.
Nobody said it was easy.
You’ll get through it.
Face your fears and those that cause you pain.
Enjoy life.
Live, Laugh & Love.
Hmm.
PS. Maybe meeting and mingling with boys in one summer can help.