Tuesdays with Morrie.edited
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Nov 24, 2024
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Running Head: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE 1
Tuesdays with Morrie
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TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE 2
Tuesdays with Morrie
Introduction
My grandmother Mary, who's currently 80 years old and resides in a little town in upstate
NY, is the individual I interviewed for the assignment. Mary, being a mother to my mother, we have been very close for as long as I can remember. She is well-suited to share her thoughts on death and dying because of her abundance of wisdom and experience. She has been there for me my whole life, offering advice and encouragement. My thoughts regarding death and dying will be incorporated with Mary's. The paper will draw thoughts from Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" and Morrie Schwartz's interviews with Ted Koppel to offer a broader viewpoint (Albom,
2002). Morrie's insightful observations on death and life will offer another dimension to the investigation. The paper will incorporate Mary's thoughts, my own opinions, and Morrie's observations to provide a fuller picture of death and dying. With this multifaceted analysis, we can better understand the many facets of this shared human experience.
Interviewee Responses
If this person ruled the world, what changes would they want to be made? What about you?
My grandmother paused for a while to consider my inquiry before responding. She was very worried about the Earth and its ecosystems. Mary says combating climate change and protecting the natural world would have to be her top two priorities if she became a global ruler. She stressed the urgency of extreme efforts to safeguard the Earth for the next generation. She listed measures to fund alternative energy, lessen carbon emissions, and regulate pollution. Mary also underlined the importance of individuals having more empathy for one another and working
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together. She said that people and governments invest more in kindness, empathy, and mutual understanding in a perfect world. She thinks that if people would talk to each other and try to see things from each other's point of view, the world's problems would be solved.
I agree with my grandma that climate change is a pressing issue that must be addressed immediately. For the sake of future generations, we must take strong measures to preserve our world. In addition, I share her enthusiasm for encouraging kindness and solidarity. If we can ever
achieve world peace, more work must be done to ensure everyone can access decent healthcare and other necessities.
What experiences have they had with death? Are these similar or dissimilar to your experiences?
My grandmother has experienced a lot regarding death in her lifetime. Mary was raised in
an era when death was more openly acknowledged and accepted. She talked of the deaths of old and young relatives and acquaintances due to diseases now treatable and preventable. She recalls
losing her family and friends quite well as she became older. Her outlook on death and life is different now because of what she went through. Mary emphasized the value of making the most of the opportunity to spend with individuals we care about. For Mary, losing her husband was a pivotal moment in her life. She talked about how hard it was to move on with her life after his passing and how lonely she felt. She also spoke about her experiences comforting bereaved relatives and close friends by attending their funerals. Mary states that she has come out of her experiences with a profound appreciation for the value of support and community in times of grief.
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I have not lost as many loved ones as my grandmother did, but I have experienced experiences with mortality. Over decades, I have lost many loved ones, including friends, uncles,
grandparents and aunts. My dear friend's death while I was a young adult was one of my most life-changing events. I learned the importance of living in the now and the fragility of human relationships through this tragic loss that came out of nowhere. Furthermore, I have experience working in healthcare and have seen patients pass away while in my care. The incidents have highlighted the transience of life and the significance of providing comfort to the terminally ill (Albom, 2002). My grandmother's advice has assisted me in coping with loss, even though my encounter with death has been very different from hers concerning the people involved. We both agree that it is critical to cherish the time spent with loved ones and console the bereaved. Our shared experiences with death deepened our friendship and helped me learn to deal with my grief
more effectively.
What experiences have they had with funerals/memorial services? Your experiences?
My grandmother has attended many memorial and funeral ceremonies because she has lived through multiple generations and seen many loved ones pass away. She spoke of those times with both regret and admiration. Mary stressed the significance of memorial services and consoling the bereaved. She discussed how funerals and memorial services allow individuals to gather together, remember loved ones, and receive comfort from one another in times of loss. Mary also spoke about her personal experiences attending and planning the funeral for her husband. She detailed the preparations that were made, the readings and music that were chosen, and the guests that were invited to the memorial service. She felt like the burial was a way to respect his memory and bring closure to the tough period they were going through.
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Similar to my grandma, I have been to memorial services and funerals throughout my life. However, my exposure has been far more limited. Every funeral has been a one-of-a-kind sorrowful event accompanied by many feelings. Attending the burial of a close friend who had died at a young age was one of the most life-changing events I have ever experienced. The tragedy was sad and painful, although it served as an important reminder to appreciate the time we can spend with those we cherish while we can. Over the past few years, I have been to a few memorial ceremonies honouring the lives of people who led extensive and fruitful lives. The focus of the gatherings has been on celebrating their contributions and remembering their legacies to society (Albom, 2002). Participating in funerals and memorial ceremonies has taught me the value of community solidarity in the face of tragedy. The gatherings have allowed me to express and pay my respects and condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed away.
What would be their headstone epitaph? Yours?
Mary gave it a great deal of thought when I asked her what she wanted written on the headstone. She wanted a message that would be short and sweet yet still convey who she is and what she believes in. Mary requested that her tombstone read "Loved, Laughed and lived." She elaborated that the statements characterize the fundamental values that have directed her life. She
stressed the value of affection, the wealth of a full life, and the resilience to laugh at one's troubles.
My chosen epitaph on my tombstone would read, "Appreciating the Journey." The inscription expresses my conviction that the journey matters most instead of the final goal. It affirms one's intention to view all events, happy and otherwise, as lessons to be learned. Life is
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best understood as an ongoing quest for knowledge, and the epitaph could be used as a gentle reminder to approach each day with enthusiasm and curiosity.
Have they considered end-of-life planning (e.g., advance directives)? You?
Mary has given enormous consideration to her death and funeral. As she grows older, she realizes how critical it is to make her wishes clear and settle her affairs. Mary has made the responsible choice to draft an advance directive outlining her wishes for future medical treatment
and her final wishes. She clarified that she wanted her loved ones to know how she felt about being revived or given artificial life support. Mary hopes that those she loves will be able to follow the instructions in the document and that she will be treated with decency and respect in the case of an unexpected illness. Mary has made an advance directive and has talked to her relatives about how she would like to be laid to rest. She hopes that by having the discussions ahead of time, she can assist those closest to her cope with the emotional problems of making decisions about her care when she can no longer do so.
As I have seen the value of these plans in my family and professional life, I have also given some thought to them. My wishes about medical treatment, such as the withdrawal of life support and the donation of organs, are detailed in an advance directive I have prepared. I agree with Albom (2002) that having the directions written down reduces anxiety and ambiguity for my loved ones during times of crisis, and I hope you will consider doing the same. In my opinion, having frank and open conversations about death with loved ones is crucial since it allows everyone involved to understand their desires better and gives everyone a chance to lend emotional support and consolation.
What advice do they have about facing death? What advice would you give?
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Mary provided reasonable advice on dying based on her many years of observation and contemplation. The significance of having close relationships with others was a theme she repeatedly returned to. Mary considers having strong bonds with loved ones among the most important sources of comfort and encouragement when dealing with death. Despite adversity, she
urged her listeners to take in the good times. Mary also emphasized the value of having frank discussions about death with family and friends. Mary emphasized the need to have the talks early on, saying that doing so can reduce uncertainty and anxiety for everyone involved. She also
emphasized the significance of looking to one's religion and spirituality for solace if one finds that a source of comfort.
I believe facing death is a highly emotional and personal process that requires composure.
The relationships that matter most and quality of life must be prioritized alongside the actual plans that must be made, including advance directives, for the final moments of life. The secrets to finding peace in uncertainty are honest conversations with family and friends and a determination to create meaningful moments (Albom, 2002). I must leave a positive legacy and accept the tremendous uncertainty of life and death. Making the most of each day and accepting death as part of life's natural cycle is, in my opinion, essential components of developing the fortitude and serenity necessary to face the last curtain.
Conclusion
Conducting the interview, especially with my grandmother, has strengthened my conviction in the value of frank discussions of mortality. The importance of living in the present and appreciating time spent with family and friends has been brought into sharp focus. I now understand the worth of listening to the advice of the elderly and the lessons of individuals who have met death closely. I have come to accept that death and dying are inevitable parts of life and
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that dealing with them requires a balanced attention to material and immaterial concerns. This is still a tough subject, but I have learned how vital it is to leave a legacy of kindness and connection. I also realized that facing mortality is not only about the destination but also about the road taken to get there, the people we meet along the way, and the impressions we leave behind. The experience has reinforced my faith in the transformative potential of love, acceptance and resiliency in the face of death.
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Reference
Albom, M. (2002). Tuesdays with Morrie: An older man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson. Crown.
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