Book Summary: Tuesdays with Morrie

Remember that teacher who changed the way you saw the world? For author Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college sociology professor, who, years after they parted ways, reached back into Mitch’s life with a whole new set of lessons on—well, on life itself. Only this time, Morrie’s lessons were framed by his battle with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease. Tuesdays with Morrie is the story of Mitch’s weekly visits to his old mentor’s house, where Morrie, on his final journey, shares advice on everything from forgiveness to finding meaning in life.

If you're looking for a tear-jerker... you found it!

The Power of Showing Up—on a Tuesday

It all starts when Mitch sees Morrie on Nightline. And there he is, talking openly about his battle with ALS like it’s just another thing to discuss over tea. ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, affects the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually loss of life. Morrie’s time is running out, and he knows it, but rather than hiding from it, he dives right in—choosing to spend his final days teaching one last “class” to Mitch.

Mitch, moved by his old teacher’s spirit, starts making a weekly trek to Morrie’s house for some much-needed life lessons. And we’re talking real, down-to-earth topics—like love, regrets, aging, and even dying. Mitch and Morrie’s conversations have a beautiful simplicity to them. No big words, no fancy philosophy, just straight-to-the-heart talk about what really matters when the clock’s ticking.

Facing ALS: The Hard Facts

ALS is a hard diagnosis, no sugar-coating it. It affects roughly 5,000 people each year in the U.S., and once it starts, there’s no reversing it. Most people diagnosed with ALS live only two to five years after symptoms appear. Morrie’s experience isn’t unusual in that sense, but he brings something rare to his final chapter: a willingness to share it all. There’s power in telling your story, especially when you’re facing something as big as ALS.

At No Story Lost, we’re honored to be working on a life story book for a woman currently living with ALS. Through her book, she’s preserving memories, values, and reflections on this difficult time. This isn't the lightest book we've worked on, that's for sure - but it’s a privilege we don’t take lightly.

Morrie’s Teachings on What Matters Most

Here’s the thing about Morrie’s lessons—they aren’t groundbreaking theories or dramatic revelations. They’re simple truths that we often forget while hustling through life. He tells Mitch that the real point of life isn’t money or success, it’s connecting with others, finding meaning, and figuring out what brings joy. Morrie is living proof that, even when you’re faced with losing everything—literally—there’s a way to leave something valuable behind.

One of Morrie’s standout pieces of advice? “Love each other or perish.” In a world where we’re often told to be self-sufficient, he reminds us that real happiness lies in relationships and in accepting help. Morrie’s view on life, even as he’s losing control over his body, reminds us that the things we’ll remember most are rarely the things we spend the most time worrying about.

Why Telling Your Story Matters

As Morrie’s body weakened, his spirit seemed to strengthen, and his desire to share his story became more urgent. For anyone who knows they’re facing limited time, capturing memories and life lessons can give a sense of peace. That’s one reason we’re so passionate about what we do at No Story Lost. For the woman we’re currently working with who has ALS, creating a life story book is about documenting not just what she’s done, but who she is. She’s creating something that will outlast her ALS diagnosis, something her family can turn to and hold close.

In Tuesdays with Morrie, Albom writes, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” Morrie’s relationship with his loved ones lives on through his words, and that’s something we believe in deeply. We’re here to help people like Morrie, and like our current client, to leave behind more than memories—something that speaks to who they truly are.

The Legacy of Tuesdays with Morrie

In the end, Morrie’s message isn’t about dying at all. It’s about living. It’s about putting down the work emails, forgiving yourself and others, and calling up the people you love just to say hi. Morrie’s parting advice is a reminder that none of us knows how much time we have, so we might as well spend it on things that count.

Legacy projects like Tuesdays with Morrie aren’t just about preserving memories; they’re about sharing life’s lessons and leaving a tangible piece of yourself for those you love. At No Story Lost, we see firsthand how powerful this can be. We’ve helped countless families create these kinds of keepsakes—capturing everything from childhood memories to hard-won life lessons.

If Tuesdays with Morrie resonates with you, know that creating a legacy doesn’t require fame or fanfare. It’s about gathering the moments that made you who you are and sharing them in a way that will matter for generations. If you or a loved one is interested in creating a legacy book, visit us here to learn more about how we can help you bring your story to life.

Some other books about life, death, and tough diagnoses, we'd also recommend "When Breath Becomes Air," "Not Fade Away," and "This is not the end of me." We've also read, "On Grief and Grieving." Maybe we'll review some of these soon!