Elizabeth Parish
Reading for Pleasure (A)
April 17, 2007
SMART Middle Assignment
For years I have been content with finding my life’s value in meaningless work and have wasted my time on making money, traveling, and writing pointless articles about sports. While the union was on strike, I realize how despite my missing appearance, life continues as usual. I had the impression that the world needed to know about famous basketball players and the home run that won yesterdays game. Instead of writing about sports, I sat at home watching them on TV and I realized how pointless my work had become. So that’s when I decided to visit my old college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Back when I was in college I understood the meaning of life, I was able to grasp the importance of relationships and values. I guess part of me knew that my life was quickly headed downhill and this was my last resort to fixing it. And I guess another part of me simply felt guilty for not keeping in touch with my professor who was now slowly and painfully dying.
The first time I walked into Morrie’s house and saw him sitting helpless in a wheelchair with his attendants and food dropping off of his fork, I could almost feel the throw up coming right up to the back of my throat. Could this really be the same professor who used to be so lively and active? Could this really be Morrie Schwartz who I had spent thousands of hours consulting and learning from? I felt so sorry for him because I knew that he must be experiencing excruciating pain but at the same time I knew that he would not want me to feel sorry for him. I knew that because of who he is, it would be best for me to just make the most of the time I had left with him. A couple Tuesdays later, I offered to help move him into his reclining chair in the study. Honestly, I don’t know why I offered to help other than the fact that I knew how much I owed him for breaking my promise to keep in touch. When I felt his weak hands gripping my biceps as I lowered him slowly into the chair, it seemed as if a realization of death had spread over my body like an ocean wave. I realized just how short the time left with Morrie really was and I was determined not to let it slip away from me. I was determined to be the best student possible in light of the circumstances. I was determined to make up one thousand times for my broken promise and broken friendship.
About Me
I am currently reading...
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Books I have read...
- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
- Bruchko by Bruce Olson
- Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Reading for Pleasure Links
Where you end up isn't the most important thing. It's the road you take to get there. The road you take is what you'll look back on and call your life.
-Tim Wiley
1 comment:
You know, this reminds me of something I once heard a teacher say. In talking to her class she said, "Do you know what a `pupil' is in Latin? It is a word for a `little doll.' Some of you have been my pupils. You have taken in what was given and little else. Years from now when you come to visit, you may return and I will not recall your face. You may say, `Remember me? I was your student in 2000.' To which I will reply, `I do remember you, but you were never my student. You were actually only my pupil.'"
Cruel sounding, I suppose, but it must be how Mitch felt and why he wanted to make up for lost time.
A+
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