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My thoughts on FOR ONE MORE DAY




A lot of thoughts ran through my mind while I was reading Mitch Albom's latest book, FOR ONE MORE DAY.



First, I thought of Mr. Wilson Solis, my former thesis adviser who passed away a couple of years ago. I thought of him because I knew in my heart that he was the person I regret not being able to talk to before he died. The last time I saw him was during AUF Kampus Kapihan. He was just outside the venue. He looked through the glass door and he saw me. I also saw him and I wanted so much to leave the kapihan and talk to him. But I said to myself, "Mamaya na lang." I never knew that would be the last time that I would see him alive.


I was all alone when I went to his funeral. That was where I got a chance to talk to him -- I believed he would hear me. Then I got a chance to talk to his mom and sister -- that made me realize how precious he was as a son to his mom and as a brother to his sister. If only they knew how precious Sir Solis was to me---


Second, I thought of my own mom. Then I started making reflections. Have I been a good daughter to her? Did I not give her headache? Is she proud of me now? Or does she see me as "just another creature on Earth?" I don't know. I never had a chance to ask her. But I wish I could hear her say who I am for her now that I've grown up -- at least before she dies. I know matagal pa iyon.


Mitch Albom fascinated me with his writing style by including several pages with a narrative description of TIMES MY MOTHER STOOD UP FOR ME and TIMES I DID NOT STAND UP FOR MY MOTHER. I think this narrative would really make people-who-take-their-moms-for-granted guilty. As a mom, I felt that the book was able to capture how much a mom could love a daughter or a son-- a mom's love is immeasurable. At times, the child, just like Chick Benetto when he was young, would not understand why things are happening. But I believe that at the right time, children will realize how much they were loved by their moms.

Among the thoughts I always remember from the book are the following: 1. That Chick Benetto just didn't know that his mom waited for him to be born, that even before he was born, a person -- his mom -- has been wanting to have him in this world. Yeah, I think some kids just don't realize how much their moms wanted to hold them in their arms; 2. “When death takes your mother, it steals that word forever.” I know it is painful to lose the most special person in our lives -- our moms; 3. That there are things which near-death experience can make us see. The second chance is always the best chance to live our lives. But we should not aim for getting second chance. Instead, we should never ever take people for granted.

Anyway, I finished reading FOR ONE MORE DAY for a day. I couldn't put it down. I'm sure that it's worth recommending to people I'd rather spend one more day with ---

After reading this book, I thought, "I wish I could write such an inspiring book..."

Congratulations to MITCH ALBOM for being able to touch readers' hearts through his books...


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