What book would you take to a deserted island? Or, if you were forced to read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? My answer to these questions till the end of my time would be: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a beautifully written memoir about visits the author made to his former college professor were they discussed a broad array of topics from compassionate to family, to death and love.
My grandfather gave me this book more than 15 years ago, it resonated the first time I read it, and it still does. (I found myself re-reading it, at least once a year.) For 15 years, it has served as my personal time travel machine as it usually takes me back to conversations with my grandpa, Tata.
Tuesdays with Morrie, is simply formidable. It is a book that touches upon everything that is important. It is a fast read, a gift, a priority refresher and a hard slap in both cheeks.
Tata was my Morrie, he passed last Tuesday, September 10th, 2019. He passed serenely, my mother was with him. I still feel I have trouble breathing, it hit me that someone that had so much to do with who I am, is not around anymore.
Reflecting back, he is very much responsible for so many personality traits, hobbies and essence-elements of who I am. I felt speechless, word-less for many days, but now more than ever this journey makes even more sense to me. Life is now, life is today and we need to relentlessly pursue our dreams to make ourselves and the people we love, proud.
Tata with his forever love, my grandma circa 1962.
Tata was a good man, a great husband and dad; even a better grandpa. Growing up, he created a small world filled with books, word puzzles, magazines, music, history and stories, just for me. I love words, but while finding the right ones to explain his influence, I felt completely and utterly word-less.
Em and the Shelf 