Tuesdays with Morrie

The memoir "Tuesdays With Morrie," by Mitch Albom forces readers to contemplate various topics such as, living a meaningful life, love, forgiveness, and death. Death is a theme that flows throughout the memoir. The idea that death is an event to embrace and learn from, rather than to fear and resist is presented.

Morrie is the voice of reason, and knowledge. He says, "Everybody knows they're going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did we would do things differently". As humans we kid ourselves about death. We tell ourselves, "It will never be me in a deadly accident. I will never die of cancerous tumour". Doing meaningless things we think we have to do takes up most of our time. One often fails to realize how precious time is. Time runs out. Just like the sand in a hour glass, eventually our time will be up. When that time comes, knowing that we have made the best out of the time provided will ensure eternal peace. Instead of letting time fly by, which it seems to do faster the older you get, take the time to enjoy the little moments in life that bring a smile to your face.

Death is a subject that most of society chooses to ignore. Parents hush children who speak of death, and funerals become over flooded with phony individuals who attempt to be sincere, because in reality they don't know how to respond to death. If death became a frequent subject in society people would know how to respond to it. If children learned about death at school, maybe the human race would have the knowledge to live a meaningful life by making everyday count. This suggestion may seem absurd; however, if society gained a new perspective on death the result would be worth the risk.

Once I began reading "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom, I myself began to question everything that the book discussed. At the age of seventeen, I feel as if my life has meaning. I haven't experienced as much as I will in a lifetime, but if I was to die tomorrow I'd be satisfied with the life that I have lived. A lifetime to many refers to decades of living. Although, in reality a humans lifetime only goes on as long as their heart is pumping blood through their veins, and their lungs are bringing in the required amount of oxygen.

In my community there have been a handful of teenage deaths; therefore, death is a topic that has been apparent in my life quite frequently. When I was younger my emotions were less involved. However, now I find myself feeling more emotionally attached to everything and anyone. After the accidents causing the deaths of the kids only a few years older than me, I remember people saying, "They were too young to die". My question is, how can we determine what a good age to die is? It is thought that a long and fulfilling life takes years to evolve. Maybe it doesn't. At this stage in my life I have no regrets substantial enough to influence the way I feel about dying. My life thus far is fulfilled.

A book like "Tuesdays With Morrie", is literature that has meaning. It has caused me to consider how I will live my life. It has caused me to open my eyes to the opportunities and difficulties I am bound to experience. "Tuesdays With Morrie," has forever changed me, and for that I express great gratitude to Mitch Albom, for sharing such a wonderful story on the subject of death.

Sincerely,

Chantel Matlock

The Bean Trees #2

Dear Mr.Groff,

The first few years of a child's life are vital to their personal development, and the events that they experience will have a major impact on the rest of their lives. In the novel, The Bean Trees, Taylor is given a child who she knows nothing about. She names the baby girl Turtle, and slowly becomes aware of what the child's past involved.

If a child is not given the proper nourishment and attention they will not thrive. For example, when Taylor takes Turtle to the doctor she learns that Turtle is close to three years old. However, the little girl in this story does not appear to be three years old at the time. She is not the size or intellectual level that you would expect a three year old to be and this causes readers to wonder what past events have stunted her growth. There are situation in which parents do not have the resources to provide for their children. This is when child protection services often get involved and place the child in a home that will provide properly for them. It is hard to justify taking a child away from their birth parents but in most cases it is in the best interest of the child. For Turtle, being given away was the best thing that happened to her. Taylor learns that Turtle was abused, which provides answers to why she is behind in her development. Children need to feel comfortable learning, so if they don't often they will resist direction from adult figures. Interaction between a child and a adult is the best way for children to learn. Monkey see, monkey do is not just a silly phrase it actually has impact of a child's life.

I know that when I child doesn't grow up in a healthy environment it is difficult for them to thrive. Since about grade three I have been able to distinguish between kids that are provided with what they need to grow and mature properly and kids who have been "short changed", for lack of a better term. Previous to grade three I was oblivious to these kinds of ideas. Kids were kids and they were all just like me. Influences from the adults around me must have made be aware of the differences between other children I believed were just like me. Some of my class mates lived with their grandparents because their biological parents had drug and alcohol addictions and could no longer look after them. I know that this had an impact on their development. Other class mates were provided with everything they could ever dream of, except nourishment from their parents. I am not talking about food. I am talking about love and affection through actions. Without this form of nourishment children often search for ways to feel loved and the outcome is not always positive. As children who have not grown up in a proper environment mature into teenagers they may feel lost and lack self respect, self confidence, and various other attributes that form a well-rounded individual.

I feel as if my parents have done a great job of providing me with everything I need, including love and affection. I am so thankful that they have done this for me. Therefore, when I have children of my own I will know how essential the first few years of their lives are, and I will try my best to raise them well.

Sincerely,

Chantel Matlock

The Bean Trees

Dear Mr. Groff,

I am currently reading a book titled The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. The antagonist, Taylor Greer, embarks on a journey after finishing school. The plot of the story leads readers to believe that young adults who leave home often get overwhelmed by the chaos of the world and need help adjusting to a independent life.

Previously Missy, Taylor leaves her mom behind in order to discover the south and possibly herself along the way. Young adults around the age of eighteen yearn to discover what the world consists of. At the tender age of eighteen life has not yet been fulfilled. There is time to experience life, but often young adults feel the need to do everything now. Independence is provided and when given this opportunity it is simplistic for young adults to take things too far. They live life in the moment and do not consider the consequences of their actions. Often taking time to stop and think about the situation that they are in does not occur. Complete freedom can be overwhelming for an individual who has been cared for by parents thus far. It will take time to adjust to an independent lifestyle. And for some individuals, more time will be required. Another option is returning home, and it is becoming a trend that many modern young adults are choosing to pursue. Hopefully after parental support is given the child will be capable of living independently.

There are many circumstances that will cause a child to seek help. Sometimes financial skills are not developed and the individual has trouble managing their money. Too often graduates leave home desiring independence and soon after their departure they find themselves broke and living on K.D. If proper planning and budgeting is not done by the individual their money and resources will run out sooner than they expect. When their money is all gone high school graduates will seek financial assistance out of desperation. In the novel, The Bean Trees, Taylor finds herself in a tough situation and in need of a hotel room. Since she does not have enough money to pay for a room she offers to clean hotel rooms the next morning. The lady excepts her offer and provides her with a job as a janitor, until she has saved up enough money to move on to the next town. Most people are willing to help other human beings that are in a tough situation, especially young adults who require financial aid.

They have grown up under their parents watchful eyes for almost two decades and now it is time for them to leave the nest. This can be a dreaded and traumatic experience for some, and a exhilarating and anticipated day for others. It is a big step to take even when you think you are ready. Preparation is key. When you prepare everything will turn out better. This may be a general statement; however, I believe it is true. If you do not prepare that is when a relapse can occur and help is required from your support network. Hopefully the individual can learn from their mistakes and acquire the resources needed to deal the next time the same circumstance presents itself.

Profile: age seventeen, blond hair, green eyes, loves volleyball, and is extremely intimidated by the thought of moving out! I have about ten months left until I plan to move out of my beloved home. Growing up in a organized and caring home, where everything I ever needed was provided for me, makes it difficult to see the logic in leaving. It is not that I am immature, I just love my life so much; therefore, I do not want anything to change. Going off to college means leaving the farm, and my tight knit family who enjoys doing everything together. Yes, I am a "daddy's girl". For example, I purchased my grad dress yesterday and the final decision was left up to my dad. The dress ended up being over our price limit, but Dad did not need persuading. His answer was, "You deserve it". The cheque was written and my dress will be in here in three months. Graduation is rapidly approaching and I am beginning to make the required preparations. I love to plan and prepare, but it seems as if all the planning in the world will not prepare me for the world that I have yet to explore. Lately I have been looking into colleges, attempting to make a final decision on where I will go to further my education. Since I dread leaving home it is difficult for me to plan my future. Although difficult, it has proven to be possible. I have dreams and ambitions in life. Dreams of travelling the world and doing something with my life that will benefit more than just me. Maybe my expectations are too high and that is why I have trouble picturing myself all grown up.

But for now I live life one day at a time, planning and preparing, so when the day comes to move out I can face the chaotic world calmly. If I have to return home, or seek help from my support network I will not be ashamed. Instead I will realize that I am just like everyone else, and may require a little help along the way.

Sincerely,

Chantel Matlock

Life of Pi / Water for Elephants

Oct 31 2011

Dear Mr. Groff,

Reading is starting to become one of my favorite pastimes. Before this semester I was rarely caught with a book in my hand. Now I'm always packing a one around, stopping to read every chance I get.

About two weeks ago I completed the literary text, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The novel maintained my full attention from beginning to end with its captivating story about a young boy's fight for survival.

Pi Patel survives the sinking of a cargo ship and finds himself aboard a lifeboat with a hyena, orang-utan, zebra,and Bengal tiger. If I was ever put into a situation such as the one Pi is in, I would like to think that I would be able to survive as good as he did.

Its hard to imagine how we can handle tragedy, stress, or loss when we never have had to before. People can say that they know what you are going through, but do they really know? Everyone deals with tragedy differently, so no one can relate directly to another persons adversity. They can provide support, but in my opinion no one has the right to claim that they know what a person has been going through, unless they have actually been through the exact same sequence of events. Most individuals who have experienced some form of tragedy desire support, not input. A friend or family member who is willing to listen will be appreciated more by the individual than someone who attempts to relate to their life changing experience. A individual who is there when you need them, and will leave when you need time alone, is the best kind of person to have around when dealing with a tragedy.

If you happen to be the person providing support to a friend or family member, that is also a tough situation to be in. All you can do is let them know you care. A kind gesture such as a card, text or bouquet of flowers is a friendly, yet thoughtful, action to remind that individual that you will be there for them.

The literary fiction, Life of Pi, ends with an interesting twists. I will not ruin the ending for those who desire to read the novel.

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen is the book I am reading now. It can be described as a dark and beautiful story based in a crumbling circus. Jacob gives up all of his hopes and dreams when jumping on a train one night. What makes people so willing to sacrifice ambitions just for the chance to experience an adventure? It may be the excitement behind the concept, or the fact that everything is left for fate to decide. Acting in a daring way can be an exhilarating feeling. As we live our lives, following the routines we have created, we begin to desire more. We yearn to explore the world, escape the tight grasps of our parents, and become independent. So maybe risking hopes and dreams can refer to risking the hopes and dreams of someone else in order to discover our own. Do we stray onto our one paths or follow what is expected of us? It is all up to us to determine the answer to this question.

I look forward to completing this novel and discovering more hidden messages.

Sincerely,

Chantel Matlock