tuesdays with morrie: review

There's a world of difference between 'the meaning of life' and 'a meaningful life.' The former supposedly can be found by visiting gurus in their distant hermitage. The latter can be found in the simple, accessible, compassionate lessons in this small book by Mitch Albom.

I don't know why it's taken me so long to read Tuesdays with Morrie. It wasn't lack of interest; it was more lack of access. I don't have a particular system for choosing what I read. When I finish a book, I tend to start next on whatever is to hand.

But this time was different. After three very lightweight very escapist novels, I wanted something different, and this little book fairly glowed on the shelf. Yes, it was little. And yes, it was a very fast read. But it was also very soul-satisfying.

It's an amazing gift for a book to teach courage, honesty, humility and vulnerability, yet this book accomplishes that and so much more. I wrote the following thank you note in the midst of reading the book to someone I wanted to make sure was thanked just because - not in a time of crisis, but in a time of gratitude:

Anyway, at the end he asks, have you ever really had a teacher? Someone who saw the rare & previous gem you were & helped polish you to s proud glow? I'm paraphrasing, but ... 

For me, you are that voice that reminds me that I'm more than I ever knew I could be. You taught me to be more human, more vulnerable, more open. You still teach me - when I'm lost I often think what you would say to me to put things in perspective.

I should  probably also thank Mitch Albom for writing this gift of a book.