A man discover's that his old college professor (whom he hasn't seen in over fifteen years) has contracted Lou Gehrig's Disease.
What happens next is simultaneously inspiring and heartbreaking.
Mitch Albom's account of his weekly meetings with Morrie Schwartz poses many questions about how we chose to spend our time here on earth.
Morrie certainly didn't provide all the answers: but his positive attitude while facing his body's disintegration was truly amazing.
(first posted on Mark Is Cranky)
.jpg?t=20120209092158)
Article comments
1 - RuthAnn Hogue
If you liked Tuesdays, check out Goodbye, Walter: The inspiring story of a terminal cancer patient by [myself] RuthAnn Hogue. The most frequently asked question - by far - from those who read "Goodbye, Walter," is whether I have heard of Tuesdays with Morrie.
Terminal cancer patient Walter Schifter was contemplating his life. Reporter RuthAnn Hogue was documenting both his life and impending death while contemplating a few eternal matters of her own. Barely out of journalism school, the 33-year-old mother of five was nearing her final court date in divorce court. She hadn't been to church in months.
At least she had a best friend to see her through the turmoil. If only she were single already, maybe he could be her boyfriend. But there were serious issues to consider. For starters, Jason, a talented television news producer working for the top-rated local morning show, was more than 12 years her junior. On top of that, they belonged to different faiths.
Throw in a budding friendship with someone of the opposite sex before the divorce was final -- at a time when nearly every day required thinking about the eternal consequences of life and death, and you've got a stew - thicker than the Manhattan clam chowder Walter's wife Lillian was known for whipping up.
Amidst all this, RuthAnn visited Walter frequently and reported his thoughts and fears in a three-week series for the Daily News-Sun, a newspaper serving the Sun Cities in Arizona.
Walter learned how to savor each moment once hospice helped manage excruciating pain and depression. RuthAnn learned how to value life for what it is, and those with whom you share it. In the wake of so much acrimony in the country over the issue of how we treat those who are dying or helpless, here is a book that affirms the value of life in a very positive way.
Read the full press release. [or contact me directly to] request a review copy:
RuthAnn Hogue:
[Deleted. Personal contact details are not permitted. Comments Editor.]