JUNE DISCUSSION ~ Tuesdays with Morrie

1. Did your opinion about Mitch change as book went on? In what way?
I think its easy to lose touch with someone. But I do think that Mitch really grew as a person. Whatever the reasons for his going to Morrie's, I think in the end, he was a very different person for going.


2. Who do you think got more out of their Tuesday meetings, Mitch or Morrie? In what ways? How do you think each would answer this question?

I think they both got a lot out of the visits...for Morrie it was a way to teach his last lesson...for Mitch it was a way to become reinspired. I think both would say that Mitch got most out of the visits...Morrie seemed very content with his life at the end.


3. Do you think Mitch would have come back to Morrie's house the second time if he hadn't been semi-idled by the newspaper strike?

It definitely helped. If he working, he may not have been able to go every week...but I think it does show great committment to fly every week to Boston.


4. Do you think Mitch would have listened if Morrie hadn't been dying?

I think Mitch listened to him in college...but I don't think he would have remembered him (and decided to visit) if the Nightline interview had never aired


5. On 'Nightline,' Morrie spoke to Ted Koppel of the pain he still felt about his mother's death seventy years prior to the interview. Is your experience with loss similar or different? Does what you've read in this book help ease any of that pain?

For me, time has healed the sadness of the people that I have lost...but this book definitely let me look at my own death. Would I be as dignified if I were dying...in the end would I be upset when someone finally had to 'wipe me ass?'


6. To the very end, Mitch arrived at Morrie's house with food. Discuss the importance of this ritual.

Food had been part of their relationship since college. So I think Mitch wanted to keep up the tradition. Morrie liked it (regardless if he could eat it or not) and Mitch knew that. I think it would be a help for his wife as well, but it didn't seem like she ate any of it

1. Did your opinion about Mitch change as book went on? In what way?

Yes it did. In the beginning I was disappointed that he did not keep in touch with Morrie, but then again I think we have all had relationships like this. I immediately put the blame on Mitch for not keeping in touch, but it was just as much Morrie's doing. More and more I thought about times in my life when I was in a situation like this, but never had the opportunity to go back again. I was happy that he went back and was able to learn from the experience and grow as a person.

2. Who do you think got more out of their Tuesday meetings, Mitch or Morrie? In what ways? How do you think each would answer this question?

I would say they both got a lot out of their meetings. For Morrie he was able to still teach and for Mitch he was able to still learn. I think the relationship was extraordinary for both of them. I envy that Morrie was strong enough to let Mitch back into his life and not let the years they were separated get in their way.


...will post more later.