HW 24

Tuesdays with Morrie
Published in 1997 by Random House



The last third of the book is the definitely the most touching. It shows Morrie in his final days and how he has ultimately come to terms with his impeding death. He talks of regret and forgiveness, and I think he gives great insights during his final days. But there is contradiction in it, that a man who seems so adamant at picking apart society and criticizing it, is saying things that one would think to be archetypal coming from a man on his death bed. One insight for example is the necessity to forgive, he speaks of it a lot. But don't we all believe that we should forgive others and ourselves when we die, and that we should be forgiven? While beautiful and touching, Morrie's story didn't stray far from the predictable patterns and common practices of death.

Precis:

Morrie is coming to the very end. The hardest thing to deal with is saying goodbye. It seems I've been putting it off in my mind, sort of thinking that I'd never have to say goodbye. I'm just fearful that when the day comes, I won't know what to say


"You can't get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened."

People say this all the time. The words themselves are not insightful, the practice of them is. The fact that a man facing life's great ultimatum can forgive himself and those around him shows us that when we die, it may be our one chance to recollect and forgive.

"I like to think it was a fleeting moment of satisfaction for my dear old professor: he had finally made me cry."

Tears may come often to some, but they always hold the weight of the world. In an instance like this, what Mitch knew to be the final tuesday, tears said more than any amount of words could have, and I believe that was the best goodbye Morrie could have asked for.

"It'll get my body. It will not get my spirit."

Many believe that our spirit makes us. That no matter what takes us over or what we do physically, our spirit is forever. I can't say I agree, but Morrie made me agree. His story touched me and put me right there next to him, and I'm starting to believe in our spirit.

We live our lives in the great pursuit of happiness. Most of us end up with some happiness. Death is our ticket out of everything, happy and sad. Whatever it may be, it's bound to end. I think the most important thing about it illness and death, is to be free of regret and to be brave. Morrie showed us both, and although his death may not have been the way he wanted, it still made an impact. On millions.