Mitch Albom: The Five People You Meet in Heaven
I was always intrigued by this book, since my college friends recommended it to read. Getting good review from the works of Mitch Albom, I finally bought my 2nd Albom's collection this year. The Five People You Meet in Heaven. This story takes us to the life and death of Eddie, a maintenance manager in Ruby Pier who died in his 83rd birthday on his attempt to save a little girl from a dropping cart.
5 People... 5 Lessons...
Lesson #1: We are all connected
I love how the author simplifies human relationship. That there are no random acts, and everything happens for a reason. That people we met before we die altered our lives forever and strangers are just family we have yet to come to know.
"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking that we are alone." --Blue Man
Lesson #2: Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a part of life. We all made one, for ourselves, for our family, for the country... And it's not something to regret but to aspire.
"Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You are passing it on to someone else" --The Captain
Lesson #3: Forgiveness
I learned in this part that people tend to behave differently when confronted with conflicts. While some fearlessly face the problem, others keep silent just like Eddie's dad. I love how the author mentioned though silence can be our escape, it is rarely a refuge. That holding on to anger is a poison that can damage us inside out.
"No one is born with anger. And when we die, the soul is freed from it." --Ruby
Lesson #4: Lost love is still love
Love can be experience in different shapes. We can show it through physical gestures, a simple smile or hug; or encouraging words. But when we lost a loved one and death hinders us from demonstrating our love through our senses, memory fulfills it.
"Life has to end, love doesn't" --Marguerite
Lesson #5: Purpose
Tala thought Eddie that being a maintenance guy at Ruby Pier is where he was supposed to be, to protect children, to keep them safe and make good for Tala.
"I was sad because I didn't do anything with my life. I was nothing. I accomplished nothing. I was lost..." --Eddie to Tala
This book taught me one thing that matters most in our life... RELATIONSHIP! And it takes many forms. We are born in relationship, for relationship, to make relationships. We are born in a family who loves and nurtures us... Make friends, colleagues, and eventually our own family. No one is exempted to experience relationship. And at the end of our life, nothing really matters except this.. how we relate to others, how we love and encourage people, how we spend time with our friends, family and loved ones. It's all about relationships! Even when we die and meet our Maker. There'll only be one thing that matters... our relationship with God, our Savior, our Father, our Friend :)
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