Living While Dying: Thomas, Koppel, Morrie & Mitchell

 

I've been consumed with death lately.  Not intentionally, mind you, but it just sort of happened.  

It started with a conversation with my husband about whether or not we will recognize our loved ones in heaven (see this VIDEO for help with that question.)

Then I went down a rabbit hole as I read about Jack Thomas.  Jack was the first person to write about *Morrie Schwartz back in 1995, before Morrie was interviewed by Ted Koppel and immortalized by Mitch Albom in print ("Tuesdays with Morrie").

Then, I watched a video about former Congressman Paul Mitchell who died recently, leaving a final interview to be aired after his death (with Jake Tapper of CNN.)

So, like I said, none of this was intentional, but it sure has been an interesting journey.  I encourage you to click on the links I have provided, but be warned, the one with Ted Koppel is good, but a bit challenging, as it is a series of video interviews with Morrie as he went through the process of dying.  

Morrie had a lot of interesting things to say about the process of dying and living, including living a full life--right up to the point you die.  People who are dying often have tidbits of wisdom that make the rest of us increase our appreciation for life.

Morrie's big finale, his great stroke of wisdom, was to remind everyone to love each other.  He included compassion and some other things, as well, but in his soft, whispered voice, he was emphatic that we learn to love each other, because if we can do that, he said, the world will be a better place.

He really wanted people to talk about dying, and I suspect it was so we would understand better how to live.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogpot.com 

*Morrie Schwartz died of ALS in 1995.