Tuesdays with Morrie: A Touching Story of Life and Death

In this essay I have chosen to write a personal exposition on a special book called Tuesdays with Morrie. Few books have touched me the way this novel did. It is a story based on true events that transpires in the life of the writer. However, before I get into the background of the story and how it affected me, I should briefly explain the reason why I chose this book. I had previously known that Tuesdays with Morrie was a motion picture starring Jack Lemmon, but I didn’t know that it was based on a true story written by Mitch Albom until a good friend of mine recommended the book to me.

The moment I opened this book, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was totally absorbed in the story; it moved me like no other book has. I am going to highlight the two events that touched me the most. It might be appropriate to give a general outline of what the book is about.

Tuesdays with Morrie is essentially about a classroom lesson in which the curriculum is the life of a man, Morrie Schwartz, who has been given a death sentence by nature in the form of a terminal illness. Contrastingly, it is Morrie’s march towards his inevitable death that teaches the reader – through the perspective of the writer, Mitch Albom, who becomes like a prodigy to this mentor – about the true meaning of life.

The first event occurs in the hospital’s department of neurology. The doctor is explaining Morris’ test results to him and reveals that the diagnosis shows Morrie has a terminal disease called ALS. Morrie is naturally stunned at hearing this but his attitude soon changes into one of acceptance and courage. He bravely decides to continue on at the University and finish, if possible, the new curriculum he had started. This is the first instance that touched my heart. I felt his brave resolve to continue “business as usual” was so encouraging and inspirational. Indeed, in my own life I have come across many obstacles and I felt I couldn’t overcome them. Reading this story taught me that you don’t have to be positive or need to use a positive way to deal with something, but rather the most important part is you have to learn from the experience. I believe it is the process that’s the key to psychological growth and mental maturity. We either learn from our adversities or we are overwhelmed by them. As the saying goes, whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.

The second heartfelt incident in the story happens on Mitch’s last visit to his mentor. The description of Morrie’s physical condition is truly sad; his health is failing fast and he has trouble breathing and controlling his body functions. I was touched by the way he said goodbye. Mitch always had trouble saying those words each time he left Morrie’s residence. Perhaps it was a phrase that foreshadowed death – Morrie’s death – and that was something Mitch wasn’t able to deal with. Morrie understood Mitch’s apprehension and revealed to him that it was based on fear. With a compassion and tenderness typical of his personality, Morrie soothed Mitch’s mind. On the final day, Morrie takes Mitch’s hand and places it over his heart and says, “this is how we say goodbye.” Words are fleeting but feelings live on forever; the soul is eternal.

In conclusion, the main theme of this book in my opinion is not to embrace life or death, or that you must face difficulties with a positive attitude; but rather to open our heart and mind to the lessons that some illness or pain or adversity is trying to teach us Morrie accepted the truth of his situation without delusions, without defeat. Furthermore, he took action; he continued to teach his social psychology class, even though he knew he might not be alive to complete the course. Another important point I learned from this book is: upon realizing the dire issue facing you, it’s how to recognize it as a turning point in your life and how you change it to lead you to a newer and higher stage of existence.