and the impact he had on Albom,
his student.
Morrie Schwartz already was dying
from Lou Gehrig's disease by the time
Albom caught a glimpse of his former
mentor in an interview with Ted Koppel
on Nightline. Guilty that he had ignored
repeated promises to visit Schwartz, and
had instead become completely
absorbed in his fast-track writing career
at the Detroit Free Press, Albom decided
to reacquaint himself with his professor
before it was too late.
The relationship between teacher and
student was stronger than ever. Just
weeks away from death, Morrie was still
filled with an amazing propensity to
appreciate life. While his own demise
took some adjustment, Morrie greeted it
with curiosity rather than dread. He was
able to look at death as an inevitable
part of this wonderful life he had been
blessed with, and wanted to impart the
lessons he had gleaned to the next gen-
eration.
In a small way, Mike's death has
reminded me not to assume that the
people around me know how I feel
about them. You can never go wrong
by telling someone how their friend-
ship and love has enhanced your own
life. By holding back, you not only
deprive them of the joy of hearing
such positive feedback, you hurt your-
self by being plagued with too many
what ifs" once the opportunity to
reach out has escaped you.
We live in a time when we avoid
interaction for fear of making the
wrong impression or invading
another's personal space. We make
small talk when we really couldn't
care less about making conversation.
Self-help books tell us how to
express our feelings, but the advice
seems to have little practical applica-
don in today's society. Our feelings
chip away at us from the inside
because we'd rather not burden oth-
ers with our problems.
When I think of all the awful
things I have watched those close to
me endure, I wonder where they
found the strength to get through
them. I have friends who have suf-
fered through illness, rape, abortion,
miscarriages, divorce — you name it
— and yet somehow, they survived.
Why do others lose hope so easily and
feel their misfortune is insurmount-
able?
I may never understand what drove
Mike to such an untimely and grue-
some end. So I am left with a ques-
don to which there is no answer.
What if? E

Beautiful Nursing Home.
Quiet Setting, Overlooking Two Beautiful Lakes.

THE BEST KEPT SECRET
IN OAKLAND COUNTY.

Medicare & Medicaid Approved

Bortz Health Care on Green Lake

6470 Alden Drive • Orchard Lake

2 4 8 - 3 6 3 - 4 1 2 1

THE,

FAMILY GIFT.

A 52 week subscription to
The Detroit Jewish News.

DITTROTT =WIWI NEWS

(248) 354-6620

8/13

1999

Detroit Jewish News

113