Book Review: For One More Day by Mitch Albom
For One More Day is an inspirational book written by Mitch
Albom. It tackles the story about a son and his deceased mother.
Basically, the story revolved around Charley “Chick” Benetto,
a former baseball player. All his life he’s trying to chase his father’s love
and baseball is the only thing that keeps them together. In doing so, he took
for granted what was in front him - his wife Catherine, daughter Maria and especially
his mother Posey. He wasn’t even around when his mother died. He’s playing
baseball that time (but he told his family he’s working.) Because of guilt and
shame, he became alcoholic. Ever since his mother died, everything fell apart.
His family had financial issues (thanks to him), and eventually he and his wife
separated. Even his relationship with his daughter has been damaged. (He wasn’t even invited to his daughter’s
wedding!) Because of all those things, he decided to end his life. But the
more he wants to die, the more death eludes him. And when he came to the point
where he’s emotionally, mentally and physically injured, something happened. He
saw his deceased mother. He was given a chance to spend a day with her. Then…
things changed.
Honestly, I’ve read the book too many times already. And
every time I’m reading it, I just can’t put it down. It’s like there’s a magnet
pulling me in the story. It always amuses me no matter how many times I read
it.
The timeline of the story moves back and forth between past
and present, but that won’t confuse the readers. It’s actually better that way.
In order to elaborate the story more, the author made the right decision to
write it that way.
Posey Benetto represents the mothers out there. She showed in
this story that a mother’s love is the greatest gift one could give to her
child. Despite the disappointment, the betrayal, the pain, a mother will still
and will always love her child.
On the other hand, Chick Benetto, the son, represents most of
the children. Admit it or not, we all have this “Chick” inside us. There will
come a point in our life where we’ll take our parents for granted. Sometimes we
won’t realize the things they sacrificed just to give us the things we want.
I admire Chick for realizing his mistakes and taking an
initiative to change his life and fix the damages he made. He may have made a
lot of mistakes in life but what matters most is that he learned from it and he’s
willing to change just so he won’t make the same mistake again.
It is also shown how one day could change a lot of things –
one day with a person you love.
I’ve learned so many things in this story. But what strikes
me most is that we shouldn’t waste time thinking that we still have so much of
it. We have to make the people we love feel that they’re important – that we
love them. Because time is a playful element. We’ll never know what will happen
next.
***
This story is recommended to everyone. No matter how young or
old are you, I’m sure you can relate to the story.
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