Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Ah. I'm so fucking pissed at myself for not reading this book before now. I mean we ALL have at least heard of this book, and always in a great context. Well, let me tell you now, its great.
You would think that this book would be super sad and heartbreaking but in reality its really grounded and eye-opening. As I am sure you are aware, this book is a memoir about a young man (the author) and his college professor who is dying of ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Which, if you know nothing about it, its a disease where the motor neurons in your brain diminish and eventually die off leaving you without function of your body and eventually even your breathing. It is a long, slow, miserable way to die.
Now, as a professor of sociology, Morrie, decides to embrace this time to listen and give advice to his students, friends and families. Essentially to revel in life before he is gone. Easier said than done my friend. The author comes to visit him after seeing him on a network interview and they reconnect after 15 years of no contact, and easily slip into meeting every Tuesday for their conversations. Morrie has Mitch write down a list of topics that we the people struggle with on a daily basis and how we can tackle these issues to live a full life.
These topics were: death, fear, aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness, and a meaningful life.
I hope that you were like me, scanning the list and agreeing that these are indeed the issues you grapple with the most.
As Morrie's health slowly deteriorates, the professor and student continue to meet every Tuesday to discuss a topic. Each chapter they discuss one and how to handle the issue and come to terms with it in your everyday life. The thing that impressed me the most about this book is how it is so straight forward WITHOUT being preachy, which is an incredibly hard thing to manage.
For example: When discussing death, Morrie explains that everybody knows that they are going to die, but nobody accepts it. If they did accept it they would do things differently, live more in the moment, appreciate life a hell of a lot more. I cant convey it the same way without just quoting the whole damn book but its very beautiful, blunt, and honest.
SIDE NOTE: I wonder why they do not have us read this book in school, at a pivotal age in our lives but instead have us read such CRAP as The Great Gatsby. (sorry Ms. Messadieh but, oh my word, that book SUCKED).

To learn more about ALS go to: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html

Favorite Quote:
“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. 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.”