Tuesdays with Morrie

They talk about Family. Morrie is not returning to teach. Mitch notices that Morrie's clothes are progressively looser-fitting, as he is rapidly losing muscle and body mass

Morrie and Mitch talk about emotions.
Morrie isn't having a good day, and he can no longer eat the food that Mitch brings him each week, as he can only ingest soft food and liquids. Morrie hadn't told him, as he hadn't wanted to hurt Mitch's feelings.

Morrie and Mitch talk about the fear of aging. Morrie is now dependent on others for nearly all of his needs. Once again, Morrie tells Mitch that despite the difficulties of dependency, he is trying to enjoy being a "child" for a second time. He repeats that we should reject culture if we don't find it conducive to our needs, and again tells Mitch that we need to be loved as we are when we are babies, constantly being held and rocked by our mothers. Mitch notes that at 78 years old, Morrie is "giving as an adult and taking as a child."

Morrie and Mitch talk about money. Today is a good day for Morrie, as a local a capella group has come by the night before to give a private performance for him. Morrie had always loved music, but since his illness, it has had an even more profound effect on him.

Morrie and Mitch talk about how love goes on. Morrie's condition has deteriorated considerably. He can barely move his own head, he has the ability to feel pain in his limbs, but cannot move them. Morrie spends his days resting on the chair in his study, and relays his latest aphorism, "When you're in bed, you're dead." "Nightline" has called to schedule a third follow-up interview with Morrie, though they would like to wait until Morrie's condition has worsened a bit more, which bothers Mitch.

Morrie and Mitch talk about Marriage. Morrie can no longer eat any of the food Mitch brings him, as he is restricted to a diet of liquids. His condition is drastically worse, as the disease has reached his lungs, which he had always said would mark his death. He is now reliant on an oxygen tank, and suffers violent, hour-long coughing spells, each a serious threat to his life.

Morrie and Mitch talk about their culture. We learn that Morrie believes that every individual, regardless of age, undergoes infinite transformation, and is aware of the mental, spiritual, and physical changes he has experienced since learning of his illness. Mitch, too, is gradually becoming more aware of the changes he is making in his own life.

Morrie and Mitch talk about forgiveness. As Mitch arrives The Nightline television crew, and Ted Koppel, are at Morrie's house for their third and final interview, which Mitch notes is more like a solemn farewell. Morrie isn't confident that he will be able to give the interview, as he now has trouble breathing and speaking. However he manages to although it is in his study this time as he can't get out of his chair.

Morrie and Mitch talk about the perfect day. Morrie tells Mitch that he has decided he wnats to be cremated and discusses his funeral plans with Charlotte (his wife) and Al Axelrad, a rabbi from Brandeis and a long-time friend of Morrie's. Now, Morrie must breathe through an oxygen tube which has been inserted up his nose. Mitch hates the sight of the oxygen tube, as he views it as a symbol of complete helplessness. Morrie describes to Mitch about a violent coughing spell he had suffered the night before, and explains that in those moments he was able to accept his own death. It was only then that he truly felt ready to die

Morrie died on Saturday morning, November 4th. Two days before he died, he slipped into a coma. Each of his family members had worked various time shifts to watch over him, though Morrie had waited until they had all gone to the kitchen for coffee to finally pass away. Mitch believes Morrie had died this way purposely, as not to scar any of his family members in the way that he had been scarred by each of his parents' tragic deaths. The funeral gathering was small, although many had wanted to attend. Mitch does what Morrie's said and talks to him at his gravesite.