#2010-72#

In 2010, I had a profound experience with a book recommended by Qui. I had never read Mitch Albom's works before, but when Qui recommended this book with an endearing expression while we were walking in RB near the new year, I finally picked it up from my to-read pile during my journey home. As I read on the KRL, I felt my chest tighten and my eyes well up with tears.

The story of Chick Benetto reuniting with his deceased mother after 8 years and missing her funeral was truly touching. How could a child be forced to choose between his mother and father? It seems unfair that a child should have to make such a choice when they deserve to have both and be happy with them.

If I had to choose, I would probably choose my mother. My mother is very similar to Posey in the book. She is beautiful, kind, quick-witted, and warm. There are many moments in the book that remind me of my mother's love and care for me. She would do anything for me, like taking me to school in the heavy rain, teaching me to drive, preparing my birthday, and even now, always coming when I need to leave Bintang with her and constantly praying for my success.

However, there are also times when I realize I haven't been there for my mother. I remember running away from home to climb a mountain, not thinking about how worried she was, refusing to teach her how to text so she had to learn from the neighbor's child, and often not answering her early morning calls because I was too busy getting ready for work.

This book has taught me a lot about the relationship between a mother and a child, about the mistakes that children often make, and about becoming a mother with a million difficulties in life. It has made me realize that a mother's happiness is not always complete, that she has to be strong and always ready, and that the success of her child is her motivation to live. It has taught me about true love and that a mother can never be weak.

I am grateful that my mother is still alive, so I can try to return her love. I know she doesn't expect anything from me except for me to be more gentle (because I'm often as impatient as my father), to spend more time with her (even though we're both equally busy), and to share more of my difficulties with her (it's very hard for me to talk about problems, I prefer to talk about good things).

I also remember that, like Chick, who chose baseball with his father, I often chose to be more like my father rather than helping my mother in the kitchen. I was more interested in learning about electricity and always avoided domestic work, using the excuse of studying math. I pretended to be interested in the economics lessons that my mother taught with great difficulty, even though I wasn't really. Although my mother eventually realized that it was nice to have a daughter who could be asked to climb a ladder to check the water tank or be a shopping companion when buying building materials, I know she still has the desire to share her experiences of cooking, baking, sewing, making jewelry, and other things (which unfortunately I'm not interested in).

When I finally became a mother myself, I understood that all the things my mother was worried about for me before were true. I love Bintang, and maybe that's how my mother loved me since I was a child. I worry about his safety, and maybe that's what my mother felt when I traveled far away. I know, looking at myself in the mirror, that Bintang may behave the same way towards me in the future. Maybe he will change during his adolescence, maybe he will become indifferent, but I want him to always be close to me, in my heart. I have to remember that not only does Bintang have to learn to be independent, but I also, as his mother, have to know that there will come a time when I have to let him go.

This book has taught me many valuable lessons, and I will always cherish them. I love my mother and my daughter, and I will always remember the love that a mother gives along the way. Happy Birthday, Ma. 10 Agustus 2010.

A series of small, but truly powerful stories unfold before us. These are the tales of how a son unwaveringly upheld his mother, and how the mother, in turn, fearlessly stood up for her son.

Imagine for a moment, if you were given just one more day to spend with a loved one, knowing that they were on the verge of passing away. What would you do?

Would you sit by their bedside, holding their hand, sharing memories and expressing your love? Or perhaps you would take them on a final adventure, a journey to a place they had always dreamed of visiting.

These stories remind us of the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing those we hold dear. They show us that even in the face of great loss, love and courage can prevail.

We are left to wonder what we would do in such a situation, and how we can make the most of the time we have with our loved ones.

This remarkable book has the power to deeply touch your heart and inspire profound thoughts within you.

It serves as a gentle reminder that you should always cherish every single day that you spend with a loved one.

In our busy lives, we often take for granted the precious moments we have with those we hold dear.

However, this book makes us realize the true value of these days and encourages us to be more present and grateful.

It shows us that each day is a gift, and we should make the most of it by expressing our love and appreciation.

Whether it's a simple smile, a kind word, or a shared activity, these small gestures can have a huge impact on our relationships and bring us closer to those we love.

So, pick up this book and let it guide you on a journey of self-discovery and love.

Learn to cherish every day with your loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Two days ago, precisely on May 20, 2020, it was exactly two years since my father passed away. When I read its synopsis, I immediately decided that I had to read it now, after keeping this book on the bookshelf for 7 years.

What would you do if you were given one more day with the person you love who is no longer there?

No, I'm not as desperate as Charley, the protagonist in this novel, who wants to end his life after a series of failures he faces. Separated from his wife, his job is a mess, and he is not invited to the wedding of his only daughter. Charley decides to end his life in the town where he was born. During the journey to that town, he has an accident. However, Charley can still get up and walk until he reaches his house. And there he meets his mother. Something impossible, because his mother has passed away several years before. Although feeling it's impossible, Charley spends a full day with his mother. Visiting several people who will also end their lives.

During the journey with his mother, Charley reviews his life. Since his father left their family, the moments when he was raised by his mother, the moments when he didn't stand up for his mother, or when until the end of his mother's life, what Charley always thought about was making his father proud. Making himself a son of his father, not a son of his mother.

Many secrets are revealed, things that Charley didn't know before. Things that then change his perspective on his mother.

This novel touches me so deeply. I feel that I also want to have one more day to talk privately, heart to heart, with my father. Something that I didn't do often when he was still alive. Maybe that opportunity will come, maybe not. At the end of this story, there is one word spoken by a woman to Charley. "Perdonare" which means "forgive". The same word that I whispered in my father's ear before his last breath. "Forgive me, Dad."

In memoriam of Papa, May 20th 2018

"Every family is a ghost story."

This is a profound and moving story that delves deep into the realms of regrets and guilt. It is a poignant reflection on a loveless marriage, a broken family, and those crucial moments when we wish we had been able to stand up for our loved ones. Additionally, it sheds light on how gender discrimination can make the lives of women incredibly difficult, despite their heroic efforts to support themselves and their families.

The story, although it contains elements of magical realism, feels astonishingly real. It has the power to touch the hearts and minds of readers, making them reflect on the true meaning of family.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. I love the way it is written, with its vivid and memorable characters. The father, in particular, is one of the most dislikeable characters I have ever come across, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the story.

The second half of the book is especially captivating. It broke my heart into pieces, yet at the same time, it awakened my dormant soul. It made me realize the importance of being kind to our families, especially to ourselves and our parents. They do not deserve to be met with emptiness and sullen faces.

Some lines from the book are truly thought-provoking and worthy of reflection. For example, "The truth is, there is no line. There's only your life, how you mess it up, and who is there to save you. Or who isn't." and "When you're rotten about yourself, you become rotten to everyone else, even those you love."

This book explores themes such as self-harm, suicidal tendencies, alcoholism, broken family, loss and grief, and misogynistic characters, making it a powerful and impactful read.

I have a special attachment to this book as it is associated with the memory of meeting my Kuwaiti internet friend Aida for the very first time in Dubai. We purchased this book together, each getting a copy, with the intention of reading it simultaneously. But unfortunately, that didn't happen. However, this book has a fast pace, and I managed to read it in one sitting during a 24-hour readathon. I must say that I quite liked it.

What didn't quite meet my expectations was that although the topic is an emotional one, the book failed to draw even a single tear from my eyes, and I'm someone who usually cries while reading books. Additionally, towards the end, it seemed to be filled with unnecessary advice and preaching.

Nevertheless, considering I had low expectations to begin with, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience of reading this book.

You are reading a touching story that surprises you with the condition of the mother. Charley Benetto, a former baseball player, is a failed and abandoned family man who finds solace in alcohol and is determined to end his days. He returns to his hometown, full of regrets, and wants to put his plan into action. However, everything takes an unexpected turn when he meets his mother who has been dead for 9 years.

I really liked this story. Although it is a simple novel, it conveys a lot of emotion and is a life lesson from which many teachings can be drawn. The most important one is to cherish the dear people as long as they are in our lives.

This story makes us think about the value of family and the importance of not taking our loved ones for granted. It shows us that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and a chance for redemption. We should learn from Charley's mistakes and appreciate the people who are important to us before it's too late.

On my mother's 56th birthday, I completed this book, and a rush of emotions overwhelmed me, causing me to burst into tears. I felt an intense urge to run to her, embrace her tightly, and tell her that I love her. Charley's story is almost identical to mine. It's truly astonishing. We both had an amazing mom, and her principle was, "What's the matter? I'm a mother." This is the book that made my eyes well up with tears on the train. It's the book that made me experience the purest form of a mother's love. It's the book that made me realize all the times my mom stood up for me in the past, and yet I didn't reciprocate in the same way.

As a daughter, I sometimes find myself in a similar situation as Charley. There were times when I felt embarrassed by my own mother. Of course, during our teenage years, when we think our friends are cooler than mom and believe we are mature enough to make decisions and don't want our lives to be controlled. I've had those moments too.
We can never replace our mothers. They are masterpieces. This book has made me appreciate the times we eat together now. Knowing the fact that they are the people who desired me so much in their lives, how could I make it seem like such a waste for someone who had me as a child and watched me grow into the person I am today? That's just a child's thought that they are a burden to their parents. Forgiving ourselves is the key. I'll do my utmost to make my parents proud, just like when I first registered at a boarding school and on my graduation day.
I'll make it for you, mom. Thank you, Mitch, for this wonderful book. Every family is a ghost story.

It was very, very good! And in some places, not because of sadness, but because of an excess of a certain feeling... (such that I can't explain! Like when seeing the demonstrations, like being all together, or like the love between Chick and his mom..) It brought tears to my eyes.

"As he was walking away, he said: Well, now you know how much someone wanted you. Kids sometimes forget this. They take on responsibility once instead of a fulfilled wish.

He stood up straight and cleaned himself. I wanted to cry. A fulfilled wish? How long had it been since someone had read something to me that was this close? I should have been grateful. I should have been ashamed of the past that I had created for myself. Instead, my heart wanted a drink and a dark, damp corner, the dim lights, the burning taste of that alcohol, as I look at the empty glass and know that it will be filled again and take me to distant places."

Thank you very much to my dear Armenik >>:]<<

The story I'm about to tell is a touching one that will surely tug at your heartstrings. It begins with a young couple deeply in love, but fate has other plans for them. Their journey is filled with both joy and sorrow, as they face numerous challenges along the way.

However, not all parts of their story are as exciting. There are moments that may seem a bit boring, but these are the quiet times that build the foundation of their relationship. It's during these ordinary days that they learn to cherish each other and find beauty in the simplest of things.

Tragedy strikes when an unexpected event occurs, changing their lives forever. The pain and heartbreak they experience are almost too much to bear. But through it all, they show remarkable strength and resilience, holding onto each other and finding hope in the midst of despair.

This is a story that combines the touching, the boring, and the tragic, creating a narrative that is both relatable and unforgettable.

**“One More Day” - A Heartwarming Tale**

Mom?

It's just a simple sound, really. A soft hum that is interrupted by the opening of lips. But on this vast planet, with its zillion words, not a single one comes out of your mouth in the same way as that particular word does.

This is the story of Charley "Chick" Benetto, a broken man who hits rock-bottom and attempts to take his own life. For his "final act," he makes his way to his childhood home, where he encounters his long-deceased mother. Despite not wanting to believe it at first, he can't help but find solace in her presence. After all, as the saying goes, "when a lost loved one appears before you, it's your brain that fights it, not your heart." He ends up spending "one more day" with her, reliving a plethora of good and bad memories.

This book delves deep into the sacrifices and the insurmountable efforts that a mother makes for the happiness of her children, even in the most unfavourable of circumstances. It also highlights how we, as children, often fail to value the little joys in life, such as a gentle kiss on our forehead by our mother or a simple phone call from her asking if we had our lunch.

The book took me on an emotional journey, evoking countless memories and often leaving me with tears in my eyes. In the end, I can only express my gratitude for having read this book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. It is a beautiful reminder of the unconditional love and sacrifices of a mother.

A wonderful tale unfolds, revealing the remarkable power of love, both for others and oneself.

Mitch Albom has truly captured the essence of what it means to exist as imperfect beings in a flawed and imperfect world.

Yes, indeed, the decisions we make hold great significance.

The shadows cast by our decisions are vast and often stubborn, leaving a long-lived echo that smolders deep within the seams and joints of our vulnerable selves.

They have more profound implications than we are typically aware of!!!

Magical, dramatic, and filled with intense emotions, this is a page-turner par excellence!!!

It's also a story that features a ghost, making it a great read even during the Christmas season.

"For One More Day" is the story of Chick Benetto and his family.

He attempts to take his own life!!

After a terrible car accident, something occurs that will transform his entire life!!

I wholeheartedly recommend this very inspiring tale of love and the preciousness of life.

Let me say that I relished and adored every single chapter.

Also, Mitch Albom is an author whom I will be closely following.

Happy readings.

Dean;)