For one more day, by Mitch Albom, Monday 20th October 2014
I happened to see the movie version of "For one more day" by Mitch Albom and wanted to read the book. After reading the book, the movie is a great adaptation. It should be, as Mitch Albom wrote both the book and the screenplay.
"For one more day" is a book about love, family and regrets. The book is also about death, letting go and acceptance of self. So many levels of respect for self and others pervade this book. It is about mortality and immortality. Immortality in the sense of love and connection with one's mother or a loved one.
"For one more day" brought up many wonderful memories of my own life. The book is like a meditation on life. How far would you go to reach your goals and dreams? What would you do if your dreams and goals failed? At what cost is your family to your career? Do you live to work or work to live? Is life a journey or a destination? So many questions to ponder and consider, therefore I would consider reading it over several sittings to allow the messages and stories to waft over you, and to allow you to reflect on your own life.
I wonder what people think when they read this small book in one sitting or in a short space of time? Maybe they are so caught up in the story and the lessons involved. The lessons I find are more subtle than Mitch Albom's other books.
Having nearly died from a work accident myself, I found the book a beautiful tale oscillating between his memories of his mother standing up for him, his memories of not standing up for her, vignettes from his past, his car accident, the miraculous event and the final build to the denouement. The conclusion makes sense.
Having my own 88 year old mother in a nursing home with dementia brings the message home even clearer. My mother used to have the most incredible memory for stories and events. Sadly she cannot remember what she had for lunch, let alone five minutes ago. What has this got to do with Mitch Albom's book? A lot. Thankfully I had asked my mother many questions over the years and kept a journal of notes from my questions. The notes are in my heart and head are more valuable than those written down.
I too will probably have some regrets of not doing more for my mother. But my mother taught us about letting go from a very young age. In my family we had been surrounded by death or the prospect of death with my very sick father. So we were brought up that we would not live forever. That is why we were encouraged to have pet rabbits and birds so that we could learn about the life cycle.
Various threads weave throughout Mitch Albom's book. The book designers have made it easy to decipher the different aspects of the book with the use of italics and fonts.
The ending reminded me of William Horwood's "Skallagrigg" with a twist about the narrator's voice.
The ghosts in the book will not haunt you, but provide you with comfort and a feeling of gratitude for life.
I highly recommend his writing and gave this 8/10.
