Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom - Review

Almost everyone of us choose to be ignorant of the biggest truth of our lives – death. It is a fact that we act in ways that suggest as though death is a far fetched reality until we are drawn upon the day which brings us to it within touching distance.

Morrie is a professor who has taken a special liking towards one of his students named ‘Mitch’. Apparently, Morrie has also left a deep impression in Mitch’s mind to such an extent that when he happens to catch a glimpse of Morrie in one of the TV show two decades later, Mitch makes up his mind to meet Morrie. Little did he know that for the next 14 weeks he would be travelling from Detroit to Massachusetts every Tuesday to meet his professor Morrie who is one his final voyage.

At the age of 78, Morrie had been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) which is a rare form of neurodegenerative disease, which in simple terms mean that the body will degenerate to a point of being a vegetative state leading to death. The time frame given to complete the entire sequence of degeneration being a few months to a couple of years at maximum.

Instead of brooding over his fate, Morrie decides to make use of the given time to write his final thesis and meet everyone with whom he felt a close relationship over the years. Mitch becomes his medium to communicate his life lessons and his method of living in the most vibrant forms.

Morrie discusses love as the only medium of joyfull living, forgive not just others but yourself, accept aging & eventual death. Of all the lessons, the most valuable pearl of wisdom lies when he discloses what really brings a sense of contentment and happiness. It’s the act of selfless giving.

Being a true narrative, I can imagine what Mitch would have gone through in those 14 weeks and beyond when he visits Morrie grave. There are moments that leaves a deep lasting impact and brings in a change from the very foundation of an individual, 'Tuesdays with Morrie' is one of them.