For One More Day

Reading, again? 

I honestly think I've been having an incredible reading year. For those of you that know me, I never read. Well, I shouldn't' say "never" but I seldom read. I've been averaging about 1 book a year and sometimes, I don't even get to 1 book, sometimes it's like half a book or none. But THIS year, I've read the entire series of The Hunger Games, Eat Pray Love, and maybe one more book that I'm not remembering......AND just this Thanksgiving break, I finished reading "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom.

I've always been a fan of his books, "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "Five People You Meet In Heaven". His books are truly inspiring and life changing. Makes you really re-evaluate your life and your attitudes towards life.

When I first picked up this book and started to read it again, the story seemed so familiar to me. I thought to myself that I must have read it before. But I honestly don't remember how it ended, and to be honest, I don't read that much, so I remember books I've read, and I had no recollection of reading this one, but the story just seemed so familiar. Anyway, getting about halfway, I realized that I had started this book in the past, and never finished it. See, this is one of those examples where I only read HALF A BOOK a year type deals...

I don't know why I didn't have time to finish this before, but I'm really glad I made my way around and got to finish it now. The story here is about a man that has reached a point in his life where he is seeking suicide. In his attempts to end his life, he has a supernatural experience where he is granted one more day to spend with his deceased mother. And throughout this day, he recounts/rehashes his life and his relationship with his mother, coming to the realization that he hasn't been a great son to his mother, but it's all too late, because she's not alive for him to treat her any better anymore.

This story really helps me re-evaluate my actions and attitudes towards how I treat my family, particularly my mom. Just like the main character in this book, I'm always "too busy" and very short with them when they call me or talk to me. I sometimes give them an attitude or I'm always so annoyed when they ask me for help. After reading this book, I'm reminded that life is short and I really should treat them better. As much as I don't want to admit it, they won't be here forever, and when they do pass, I don't want to think back and recollect all these memories of how I didn't treated my mom and grandma with respect. I don't want to be the main character in the book. I don't want to live my life with regret. That's not the person I want to be. I want to be the poster child, the child that will move "Heaven and Earth" for my parents. I can't make any promises, but I will definitely TRY. I will TRY a lot harder from now on.