I was initially not entirely certain about this book as it was the first work by this author for me. However, it didn't take long for the words to sink into my mind.

It made me begin to reevaluate the things that I had been grappling with. I have to admit that I was extremely disappointed in Charley, as if I knew him personally. I couldn't fathom how he could respect his father, who abandoned him, so much more than his mother, the one who ensured his well-being, endured hardships, fought, and worked hard so that he would be cared for, attend college, and have what he needed. But the more I pondered upon it, the more I realized that there are likely numerous people like that in this world.

He cared about one thing, which happened to be baseball. Something he prioritized above everything else in his life. And you know what, it's okay to love something, but I find it tragic when only one aspect of your life can bring you happiness and you sacrifice all your other blessings for this one thing.

This book also compelled me to reflect on my own life and the loss of both my parents. Always wondering if I did everything in my power to show them that I loved them. I would give anything to have this "one day" to be with them again. But it also made me finally understand that I did love them as much as I possibly could, and it helped me overcome a hurdle that I had been struggling with for a long time. This book was almost like a message to me in a sense, and I feel grateful that I read it.

Our parents are probably some of the most significant people in our lives. The first steps in the process of shaping us. It is up to us to make the right choices so that there are no regrets later. Because often we are not given that "one day" that Charley got to make things right. As long as you know that despite all the chaos in your life, there will always be something to be grateful for, you can save your own life.

A child can never choose between his/her mom and dad. In fact, a child can have both.

A child can never be complete without the love and care of his/her mother and the guidance of his/her father.

This is a one-of-a-kind novel that reminds us how precious the little time we all have and how much more valuable time with our family is. We should cherish the moments before they're gone.

The story begins with Chick Benetto's struggles with his wife and daughter about 8 years after his mother, Pauline 'Posey' Benetto, passed away. He decides to end his life due to the depressing issues with his family and the guilt he still feels for not being there when his mother died. Fortunately for this man (Chick Benetto), he is given the opportunity to spend one day with his late, loving mother.

I love how the novel demands to be felt. I truly wept a great deal (extremely a lot) after reading it, especially when I reached the parts where Chick shared his "The time my mother stood up for me" and "The time I didn't stand up for my mother" moments.

Now, I can't help but share the heartwarming lessons I learned from the novel:

A mother's love is the purest form of love. No matter what occurs, no matter what and how you feel, what you think, what you've done, or how much you argue, your mom will always be the one who can understand you. [page 3 (PDF file) "Come on, Charley, what's the story? But she wasn't around, and that's the thing when your parents die, you feel like instead of going into every fight with backup, you are going into every fight alone."]

Sacrifices. The sacrifices your parents make, no matter how big or small, can have a positive impact on you and your family. [page 76 (PDF file) 'SHE WAS YOUR FATHER'S WIFE...I tried to picture that awful moment. In a car, after midnight, with the windows rolled up–from the outside, two figures silently screaming. I tried to picture how our family slept in one house while another family slept in another, and both had my father's clothes hanging in the closet. I tried to picture charming Posey of Pepperville Beach losing her old life that night, crying and screaming as it all collapsed in front of her. And I realized that, on the list of Times My Mother Stood Up for Me, this would have to go at the top.]

Furthermore, forgiving yourself is one of the crucial steps to a better life. It is never too late to make the most of your life.

Love chooses no age, no time, and no chances. So give love and do not waste it. For every day, you have the right to choose, to live a fruitful life or to mess it up.

I cannot, really, I cannot recommend this highly enough!! Please, take the time to sit back, relax, hold a box of tissues, and read this.

P.S: I LOVE YOU MOM, I LOVE YOU EVERYDAY!

Have you ever lost someone you love and deeply desired just one more conversation, one more opportunity to make up for those times when you took their presence for granted, believing they would be there forever? If so, then you understand that you can spend your entire life accumulating days, yet none of them will hold as much weight as that one precious day you long to have back.

Imagine if you were given the chance to spend an additional new day with a person you love who has been taken away from you by death. Picture being able to reconcile with the one you have lost forever, to tell them that you are sorry and that you miss them terribly. Envision being able to make amends to that person who always supported you but whom you betrayed in every possible way. Visualize living with the one you love for just one more day, one last day, to make up for the opportunities you wasted during their lifetime. What would you do on this day, and how could this day change your entire life?

In this novel, Mitch Albom writes a truly touching, enchanting, and heartwarming story. It is a story about a mother and her son, their lifelong and ongoing relationship, and what comes after.

When Charlie was a child, his father told him: "You can either be your mother's son or your father's son, but you can't be both at the same time." From then on, Charlie lived for 11 years as his father's son until his father disappeared one day. After that, he became his mother's son, but he always blamed her for his father's disappearance. Years later, Charlie became a bitter man, addicted to alcohol, having lost his marriage, his job, and his entire life had fallen apart. When he discovered that his only daughter had gotten married without telling him and had excluded him from her wedding, he decided to commit suicide. He embarked on a journey in the middle of the night to his small hometown in an attempt to end his life, but he failed and found himself in front of his old house, where he saw his mother who had passed away eight years ago waiting for him.

This is a story about an ordinary day that many people long for, a day that gives us a chance to reconcile, to confess, to learn secrets, and to strive for forgiveness.

On this one day, between the real life and the other life, Charlie learns many things he never knew before about his mother and her sacrifices. With her gentle guidance, he tries to put back together the broken pieces of his life.

This is a very warm, charming, and enchanting novel. It leaves a profound impression on the soul about the value of family, the days we spend together, and the value of a mother.

I listened to its audio in English, but it is translated under the title #If Only One More Day #Mitch Albom.

From the book text:

"I didn't have anyone whose words could save me from despair, and this was a mistake. A person should keep others close to himself. He should do something so that others have access to his heart."

This passage highlights an important aspect of human nature. We often find ourselves in moments of despair, and during those times, the support and words of others can be truly lifesaving. However, it is a mistake to isolate ourselves and not have those connections. We should actively work to keep others close, not just physically but also emotionally. By doing so, we create an environment where people can share their joys and sorrows, and offer each other the comfort and support that is needed.

We should strive to do things that allow others to have access to our hearts. This could mean being more open and honest about our feelings, or simply taking the time to listen to others without judgment. When we create these kinds of connections, we not only enrich our own lives but also the lives of those around us.

Menyia-nyiakan waktu itu sungguh memalukan.

We always think we have an abundance of time.

But life is so precious. I don't have anyone who can persuade me out of my disappointment, and that's a mistake. You need to have people around you. You need to let them into your heart.

However, there is always a story behind everything. How a painting can be hung on the wall. How a scar remains on your face. Sometimes the story is simple, and sometimes it's hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories, there is always your mother's story, because her story is the beginning of yours.

We should cherish every moment and every person in our lives, and not take time for granted. We should also be open to sharing our hearts with others and listening to their stories.

The feels...

All those feels...

It's that indescribable mix of emotions that wash over us. Sometimes it's joy that makes our hearts soar like a bird in the sky. We smile widely, our eyes shining with happiness.

Other times, it's sadness that weighs us down, like a heavy stone in our chest. Tears may well up in our eyes, threatening to spill over.

There are also those moments of excitement, when our hearts race and our hands tremble with anticipation.

And then there's the confusion, when our minds are filled with a jumble of thoughts and we don't know which way to turn.

T.T

These feels are what make us human, what connect us to one another. They are the essence of our experiences, the colors that paint the canvas of our lives.

Whether we embrace them or try to hide from them, they are always there, shaping who we are.

Have you ever felt an intense longing and need for someone who has left your life? Then, you are angry with yourself for not having the chance to say the things you should have said to that person. You become even angrier because you have wasted the days you spent together. What's more, you realize that at some point, everyone will face the Creator – it could happen at any time – but you have always postponed saying or doing something until finally that person leaves... forever. If so, perhaps you would very much like to have the opportunity that Charles “Chick” Benetto had.

There are many ways a child can express love for his mother. Through gifts, songs, poems, greeting cards, hugging her, or simply saying it directly.
“Mama, I love you. Mama, I care…” Spice Girls.
“Oh, Bunda, ada dan tiada dirimu kan selalu ada di dalam hatiku.” Melly Goeslow.
“You'll always be in my heart, oh Mama, don't you cry.” Steel Heart
“And I know you believed in all of my dreams. And I owe it all to you, Mama.” Il Divo
However, Charley said nothing. Nor did he do anything.
And... he was tormented by an extremely strong sense of guilt until finally he decided to just die... commit suicide. By stretching his life, he instead got a special opportunity to experience the most wonderful day in his life, with a special woman. Someone who had actually passed away. His mother.

Anak Mama vs Anak Papa?
Chick's childhood was rather heavy as he had to live in a压抑的 environment. How could it not be? Even as a small child, Chick was presented with a very heavy choice.
“My father once said, “You can be a mama's boy or a papa's boy. But not both.”” Page 31
Even an adult would be confused if faced with such a choice. How could a child choose between father and mother? It's like a watermelon with betel leaves, it's the same either way. If eaten, this one dies; if not eaten, that one dies. Aren't parents a package consisting of a father and a mother? In this case, I consider Chick's father as a crazy and egoistic person. But fortunately – borrowing from the Javanese people – his father is crazy and egoistic, so that I can read this inspiring story.

For a certain purpose – as explained in this book and I can understand it – Chick chose to be a papa's boy. Chick always tried to follow his father's requests (or rather, orders) in the hope that his goal could be achieved. His father is depicted as someone who seems not satisfied with experiencing the tense situation during World War II, so he feels the need to create a 'war' atmosphere in his home. A father whose wishes must be followed. A father who, like in an election, must have two votes while others can only have one vote. Meanwhile, his mother is portrayed as someone who loves Chick and his younger brother very much. Unfortunately, that goal seems not to be achieved until the end of her life.

Bisbol vs Pendidikan
The next heavy choice is: school or baseball? His mother wants Charley (another name for Chick) to prioritize education rather than seriously becoming a baseball player as his father wants. Once again, Charley chooses to be a papa's boy. He does continue to go to school, but baseball must be the most important thing.
“And as for me, the only thing I had to worship was baseball. He (his father) had thrown a ball at me even before I could walk. He gave me a wooden bat before my mother allowed me to use scissors. He said that one day I could play in the major leagues if I “had a plan” and if I “stayed on plan.”” Page 42
His mother, on the other hand, doesn't care at all about baseball. His mother is an only child, her family can't afford it, and she has to drop out of school to work during the war. She got a high school equivalency diploma from night school and then continued to nursing school. In her mind, for him, there are only books, school, and the doors that will open. Regarding baseball, at most, she can only say that it “gives you a little fresh air.” But she always comes. Sits in the stands, … Page 42 - 43
Furthermore, his mother said...
“Education is everything, Charley. Education is the way for you to do something for your life.” Page 153

Ketika Charley Tidak Membela Ibunya vs Ketika Ibunya Membela Charley
At one point, his father left them just like that. Charley doesn't know why his father left. In his heart, he blames his mother. Since then, they have received different treatment from the neighbors. His mother, who has become a widowed flower, is regarded by the women in the environment around their house as a 'threat' that can disrupt the integrity of other people's families. His mother is also hated, including Charley and his younger brother. Not only that, for the same reason, his beautiful mother also has to accept the fate of being fired from her job as a nurse in a hospital. In such a situation, Charley actually shows a tendency to blame his mother. Becoming a papa's boy makes him completely not give his heart to get to know his mother.
“I felt uncomfortable with her femininity and I was angry because she was the only woman I knew who was divorced. I wanted my mother to act like other mothers, wear house dresses, do handicrafts, bake brownies.” Page 110
Meanwhile, in various situations, his mother very often defends Charley. But Chick never defends his mother, even though he has the opportunity to do so. And this is one of the things that he regrets the most.
The story continues to unfold with a forward and backward flow. It seems that – after reading his two books – this has become Mitch Albom's writing style. Including stories related to life and death.
Even when Chick has become a father, he still remains a papa's boy. It seems that the influence of his father is too strong, or perhaps he is still trying to achieve that goal. There are many things that Chick could have done with his mother but were just missed. Just because he chose to be a papa's boy. Chick doesn't even know that when she was still alive, his mother had worked as a cleaner so that he and his younger brother could go to school until university level. What I think is even worse is that when he should have been able to accompany his mother in the last moments of her life, he actually lies so that he can be elsewhere. Once again, because he is a papa's boy.

Susahnya Berdamai, Bahkan Ketika Harus Berdamai Dengan Diri Sendiri
The sense of guilt that continues to haunt him makes Chick very angry with himself. He is angry with his situation of always being a papa's boy. Not to mention the problem of work. Added to that is when he feels that he is considered unnecessary when his daughter gets married. He feels as if he is getting karma. He is desperate. He wants to end his life. Commit suicide.
“Hurt as he hurt? Is that what I did? Do I want to see on my mother's face the rejection I received from my father? Do my children do the same thing to me?” Page 111
However, Chick is very lucky. He gets a kind of special opportunity. A second chance at life, as well as a chance to meet his mother again. A chance to reveal the things that have been hidden all this time. The meeting, although it only lasts for one day, can heal the sense of guilt that he has been suppressing for years.
“I want to stop this, Mom... this anger, this guilt. Because of that... I want to die...” Page 233
Chick feels guilty because he has made the wrong decision. Making the wrong choice by becoming a papa's boy. But his mother is still a wise and loving mother. And this is one of the scenes that I like.
“I can still hear her say, forcing me to make a decision: mama's boy or papa's boy, Chick? What's your choice?
“I made the wrong decision,” I whispered.
My mother shook her head.
“A child should not have to choose.” Page 234

Tiga Bintang
I like the story. But I feel that the sentences that build the story in this book are still too stiff. It should be able to touch more because the story itself is touching. There are several scenes where the reader whose heart has hardened – like me – should be able to shed tears. But that doesn't happen. Not even a glimmer. My eyes did get wet, but because of the eye drops I used because my eyes were sore from reading for a long time.
Just like “Tuesdays with Morrie”, for me, it's still too stiff. I still prefer “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”. Well, different tastes in language are allowed.
Of all the many songs I know, I think the following song can represent Charley's feelings for his mother.
Thanks to You – Richard Marx
You gave me life, gave me your heart
Your shoulder when I needed to cry
You gave me hope when all my hope is gone
Wings so my dreams can fly
And I haven't told you enough, haven't been good enough, making you see
My love for you will live in my heart
Until eternity's through....
I see your smile in the eyes of my child
I am who I am, Mama, Thanks to you
You gave me your word, gave me your voice
Gave me your everything, Each breath of your life
You believe when I can never have
You teach my faith to survive
And I never can do enough, never thank you enough, for all that you are
My love for you will live in my heart
Until eternity's through....
I see your smile in the eyes of my child
I am who I am, Mama, Thanks to you
I know the treasure, I'm filled with grace
Whenever I see your face
And I see your smile in the eyes of my child
I am who I am, Mama, Thanks to You
To you.....

Superīga grāmata, kas liek padomāt par attiecībām ģimenē.

It is a remarkable book that makes one think about family relationships.

It is a mystery, yet there is a lot of truth beneath.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

It explores the complex dynamics within a family, the joys and sorrows, the love and conflicts.

Through the characters and their experiences, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a family.

The author's writing style is captivating, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

Overall, this is a book that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on those who read it.

I really need to stop believing that I’ll like reading Mitch Albom’s books just because I liked one of them when I was 17.

It seems that I have been holding onto this false hope for far too long. Just because that one particular book from his collection appealed to me during my teenage years doesn't mean that all of his works will have the same effect on me now.

I have tried reading several of his other books, but for some reason, they just haven't captured my interest the way that first one did. Maybe my tastes have changed as I've grown older, or perhaps Albom's writing style has evolved in a direction that doesn't resonate with me anymore.

Whatever the reason may be, it's time for me to face the facts and stop expecting every Mitch Albom book to be a literary masterpiece for me. I should be more open-minded and explore other authors and genres instead of relying on the nostalgia of that one book from my past.

I truly adored this book! It was filled with such beautiful and profound words that touched my heart deeply.

One particular moment that stood out was when she gently placed one hand on mine and said, “When someone is in your heart, they’re never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.”

These words had a powerful impact on me. They made me realize that the people we cherish and love will always have a special place within us. No matter how much time passes or how far apart we may be, their presence can still be felt.

It gave me hope and comfort, knowing that those who have left us physically can still return in our memories and in the quiet moments of our hearts.

This book not only entertained me but also taught me an important lesson about the power of love and the enduring nature of the human spirit.

I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my friends!

What a beautiful story.

"But she wasn't around, and that's the thing when your parents die, you feel like instead of going into every fight with backup, you are going into every fight alone." This powerful statement really hits home.

If this book doesn't make you want to hug your mom, then I honestly don't know what will. Chick's story is so powerful because of how honestly it portrays a mother-child relationship.

Most of us have felt anger, embarrassment, and disappointment because of our mothers, and while that's normal, we sometimes forget that they're human too. They make mistakes, and so do we. In the end though, a mom's love for us is a bottomless pit.

"There's only your life, how you mess it up, and who is there to save you." This line makes us think about the choices we make in life.

The main thing I liked about this story is how hopeful and happy it made me. I lost a mother figure a couple of years ago and this didn't make me feel sad about the loss, but happy that I'd been able to have such an incredible person in my life. I'm so glad I ended up reading this. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Today is an extremely momentous day. It's none other than my mom's birthday! By an absolute coincidence, I just happened to pick up this book for reading a day before my mother's birthday, completely oblivious to the upcoming occasion at that time. Oh, how I truly love such coincidences! They are like little life-affirming miracles that are often dismissed by reason as mere coincidences. After all, what were the odds of my walking into a friend's room in a different hostel on a hot afternoon on an impulse and ending up finishing this book, without even being aware of the significance of the next day in relation to the book?

A couple of hours later, by the time I was done reading it, I clearly knew what I had to do. I immediately called up home and asked my brother to hand the phone to mom. An hour later, I was certain that I had received the purest love that any man could ever hope to obtain.

Some people might choose to sneer at the so-called "manipulative sentimentality" associated with the plot line (and this review as well :p). However, others will be able to relate to the underlying theme, which is the beauty and complexity of the relationship between a mother and a child, as well as the meaning of a family. It makes one realize how we unwittingly and sometimes even deliberately take our parents for granted, and about the selflessness of their love. These are really simple things, but they are so often overlooked. The writing style is highly engaging, proving that Mitch Albom is a fluent storyteller, extremely adept at narrating eerily familiar anecdotes.

Eventually, my realization of the injustices we make our mothers endure will melt away in the warmth of her hug. It'll disappear in the crinkles of her adoring smile, and become immersed in the endless sea of her love. What will endure is the fact that this book made me call mom, which is always a very good thing. Love you, Mom! :)