HW 22 - Illness & Dying Book Part 1

Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, Random House Publications, 1997

Precis-
Morrie, was a dying man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (asl) in august of 1994. Morrie was a teriffic professor one who loved to dance and be active, his attitude was always optimistic. Even in his last years of life he never got upset, he was never angry that he was dying but instead curious as to the process of illness and dying and wanted to share that with the world. I would go to his house every tuesday, we would talk for hours just like we did back in college except this time i was no longer in a grey sweatshirt with an unlit cigarette hanging from my mouth, i was older, fatter, not only had morrie changed but so had i, 20 years has taken its toll on both of us.

Quotes-

1. "So many walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when doing things they think are important. This is because they are chasing the wrong things." (page 43) 

• This is one quote in the book that really got my attention because it is something i have never thought about. I never realized that the dreams i chased may possibly be wrong. The idea that popped into my head is that the things that society tells you is right may also be wrong and of course this has an affect on what i think is right and wrong because we all attempt to impress soceity by doing what society considers good.

      2.   "The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." (page 43)

• This quote stood out to me because i personally do not agree with it. I think that by devoting yourself to others your only giving them meaning not yourself. I think the way to get meaning into your life is to attempt to leave a legacy for future generations because loving someone will only last so long as to your legacy that can last forever.

      3.  " The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. and you have to be strong enoughif the culture doesn't work, dont buy it."(page 42)

• I felt that this quote was both wrong and right. I agree with the fact that this society does not makes us feel good about ourselves but i think it also should not have too. Society should not make us feel good about ourselves but instead each individual should make themselves feel good. it is just easier to blame it on society when the true blame is the individual, i think that those who does not love themselves will not be loved others.

Connections-

I have gone through my own experiences of having a loved one become sick and eventually die, so i do understand what mitch is feeling. When my grandfather passed it was a very sad day for all involved but especially for me. i never met my grandfather face to face but as he got more sick we would talk everyday on the phone. We were close but not as close as someone who has known there grandparent their entire lives it was more like making a new friend. During his final days he would tell me sotries about his live, and i think that was to try to leave his legacy allowing him to live through his stories even after he had died which is similar to what morrie is doing he is leaving his legacy with mitch and society to try an allow himself to live even after his death.