Farrah

As I closed the book my thoughts drifted to another place and time. Reading always had this wonderful effect on me, seeing the world through another set of eyes can really show you things in another perspective.

I’ve just finished reading the book Tuesday’s with Morrie. The book is about an older professor who is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Over the years Morrie had many students who adored him but Mitch was one of his favorites. Mitch Albom took all the classes he could with Morrie and they became very close. At Mitch's graduation they promised to keep in touch, however they did not. It was sad but this happens to people everywhere, a promise to keep in touch is lost as life gets in the way. Many years later Morrie appears on television to talk about his disease. Mitch just happened to be watching the channel and decides to call Morrie. He goes to see Morrie and then decides to come every Tuesday. They talk about the meaning of life and the acceptance of death by the living.

The story touched a special place in my heart and made me look at my life from a perspective. My best friend Sharon was older and I always thought of her as my mentor. She had a special way of treating me as a peer that showed me, she valued my opinions. I remember one conversation we had in particular. We were in the car on a warm fall day up in Ohio. We were talking about what exactly the Bible meant.

She was saying “Don’t you think the gospels are just stories that try to teach you how to live life.”

I agreed “I do not think they actually happened. They are just supposed to give us some insight.” We talked mostly about Noah’s ark and Adam and Eve.

“How can every different ethnicity come from only two people?”

I was not sure and I thought about that for a long time. I responded with “I think that is why they call it faith”.

Neither of us were church goers but we did go once in awhile. She was a catholic to some extent. I was closer to a Christian than anything. One day I went to church with her because she asked and I knew it would mean a lot to her. After church it sparked a discussion about life after death.

I said “that heaven is a nice idea but I liked the idea of being reincarnated.”

“I would like to be as free as a butterfly.” “

I think that is the classical animal that people use when they talk about being reincarnated” I responded. To me, the freedom of flight, is a release from everything that holds us where we stand.

We were very close until one day Sharon decided to move to Kentucky and shortly thereafter I decided to move to Florida, with promises that we would stay in touch. We did grow apart but I called and tried to see her as much as possible when I would fly up to Ohio. One Christmas visit I was snowed in and could not visit Sharon. She told me she was in the hospital but it was not really serious. She had cancer again for the third time but they were hopeful. She had done this twice already and the chemo therapy kept it away for awhile.

Later I asked myself “why did I not realize how sick she really was.”

She always tried to be so brave, to always think of others, not herself.

I went to visit her in February by then the cancer had almost completely over taken her body. I met with her husband Warner, in the hallway before I went into the room. He said it was really bad and she could not stay awake very long to talk. As she noticed me her face lit up and I saw the Sharon I always knew.

She could barley speak but I remember one thing she asked me. “Do you think I’ll go to heaven when I die?”

I instantly thought about those conversations we had. Then I replied “Yes I do believe you will go there no one deserves to more than you.”

“Do you want to be reincarnated as a butterfly still?” She chuckled for a minute. “I think a butterfly would be nice.” She fell asleep after that for almost the rest of the visit.

I meant every word that day she was the best person I have ever met in my life. Although I was not sure if heaven was the right place, I knew where ever it was she would be happy.

A few weeks after my visit she died and I got that phone call I was dreading. In the book Mitch had fourteen Tuesday’s to spend with Morrie. I regret every day I could have been spending with Sharon. I just wanted reassurance that she knew I loved her and to let her know how much she touched my life.

Time will never erase the memories and happiness we shared together.

Just how I feel

-The book flooded me with thoughts, emotions and then I realized I should be lucky I had that one day. I got to say goodbye in my own way. I had a new outlook after reading the book it changed my life. I sometimes wonder if Sharon was trying to hold so I could come say goodbye. She knew I loved her, I know that now. What is the meaning of life? The one question no one has a positive answer for. Mitch and Morrie would say something along the lines of “enjoying the one’s you love because you never know what can happen.” I just try not to take anything or any one for granted. Those extra thirteen visits might have been insightful but I spent along time with Sharon before she was sick. I feel that is what is important. It is amazing how one book can make you reevaluate the things you hold dear to you. If it does that you know it is worth reading again. Everyone should read it atleast once.

04 She Talks To Angels.mp3 -let me know if you can not hear this song it plays on my computer when I open it.

John S's remix

FarrahRemixJM

Regina edits Farrah