Mitch Albom.


Well today is Learn Something Friday.... I normally make short little lists of what I have learned from the week but I want to share something a little more meaningful today. As you have read on this blog, I recently graduated. You might remember me mentioning in my graduation post about Mitch Album speaking. Mitch Album is an American best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, dramatist, radio and television broadcaster and musician. Some of what he has written is, Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven.  As I said in my graduation post, he was really incredible and his speech really hit home to me on a deeper level that morning then it probably normally would have. Mitch talked about how "giving is living" and how important it is to do things in your life that will actually mean something to you when all is said and done. He made several references to the story that Tuesdays with Morrie was written on. He spoke about a lot of different things but really focused on appreciating those around you, and how giving to others in life will bring you more happiness then any of the material things in this world. He talked about how on your death bed, you don't ask to see and touch your big screen T.V. just one last time, but how you want your loved ones around you to know that you love them, you want people around you. He brought me to tears when he brought up 9-11 and the phone calls people in planes and burning buildings made to their loved ones expressing not, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" but instead, how much they loved them and cared about them, thanking them for everything. He said all the phone calls were the same, everyone just wanted to say I love you.
This speech would have been amazing no matter what happened earlier that same morning, except something happened to me that made this sink in even more. That morning I realized my wedding ring was missing. I had been so tired the night before after finals and a huge event I had put on, that I couldn't even remember taking it off. I went into panic mode. My family helped me and Trevor look for it, and we spent well over an hour ripping apart the apartment. We looked everywhere. My ring wasn't insured, but it wasn't so much the money that was bothering me... I am an extremely sentimental person... and the thought of loosing something that meant so much to me, crushed me. I was a blubbering mess. I know this sounds really dramatic, but from one woman to another, you all know exactly how I felt. I was sick to my stomach. How was I going to suck it up for the rest of my big day? How could I stop thinking about this ring for one moment and enjoy my graduation? I didn't want to miss my commencement, so I decided to just go with my parents and try not think about it. Of course it was all I thought about. Then Mitch Spoke. I realized very quickly how insignificant that ring really means at the end of the day. Yes it cost a lot of money. Yes it represents something very special and important to me... but it isn't like I can take it with me into the after life. Like they say "You can't take it with you." Loosing a wedding ring doesn't mean I am not married. It is simply a symbol of my marriage, it doesn't define it. Then my emotions turned to guilt. I felt guilty for getting so upset when I thought about all the people who have lost rings and everything else they own in tsunami's and earth quakes. I know my reaction was only human... but I learned a valuable lesson about what is really important in life. When I am on my death bed I wont be looking at my wedding ring, I will want to be looking at my husband and children and family, and telling them how much I love them. Mitch Albom's words felt like they were specifically just for me. I was touched, and my parents were touched by what he had to say, and I know that I can apply what he said to all aspects of my life, not just a diamond ring. The following days I searched and searched and found nothing. I tried to wrap my mind around the idea that I might not ever find it. I was just starting to cope with that thought, when I found it. Although I am happy I found it... I learned that life would have gone on even if I hadn't. I learned yet again that Heavenly Father wants his children to be happy, and answers prayers... but also that some things are not eternal while others are.
My wedding ring is an earthly possession.... my marriage is for eternity.

I actually found a video of the whole speech, but it is the whole commencement, so if you want to just watch his you can click on this link and fast forward.

His speech starts at 51:53
http://www.kued.org/productions/commencement2011/

But here is a clip I found on YouTube that can give you an idea of how it went.

32 comments

  1. Oh wow! I can't believe that Mitch Albom spoke at your graduation - I can't even remember who spoke at mine. Might be watching that video and pretending it was my own ceremony :)

    Thanks for sharing your life lesson - even though I am very glad you found your ring!!

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  2. You sure had a good speaker! Wow! I am glad you found your ring! Ironically I just was on the phone (yesterday) with my insurance company trying to decide if I should insure my wedding ring...still not sure haha.

    Ashley Sloan

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  3. Great reminder, and glad you found your ring. I read "Tuesdays with Morrie" and SOBBED, what a great book.

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  4. I'm so jealous! What an awesome person to speak at a graduation. I love his books. Thank you for teaching me something new!

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  5. that is a very powerful. i could not agree more with him about how earthly possessions hold no real significance in the grand scheme of things. and that showing affection and love for those you care most about is important and what should be the biggest thing we try and accomplish every day. thank you for sharing your thoughts and that experience.

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  6. so glad you found your ring! He is an inspiring speaker, that is for sure! Enjoy your weekend girl!

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  7. love your blog! so glad you commented on mine - i am enjoying following you, now! i just graduated university and i couldn't help but laugh at the masters and PHDs in their funny capes and gowns and hats. so interesting!

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  8. Hi dear..
    what an amazing blog..
    if you want we could follow each other..let me know...
    what do you think about my post "VERYSIMPLE"?
    xoxo2befab

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  9. Perspective is a big thing...but I would still be blubbering too if I lost my ring and I know everything is forever too.

    my first giveaway

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  10. OH MY GOSH! You had Mitch Albom!! I LOOOOVE his books. Wowee, that is incredible. Thank you for sharing!

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  11. love it.
    love your blog
    love that you're a fellow canadian
    and you're gorgeous.

    Congrats on graduating.

    P.S Mitch Albom is amazing.

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  12. What an awesome graduation speaker! We had our governor speak at mine this past weekend and it wasn't nearly that memorable! What a great message. I am sorry you lost your wedding ring. I hope it turns up. Also, congrats on graduating! Woohooo class of 2011!

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  13. This was a wonderful post. So often we fall into a trap where materialistic things come to define us.

    While I am happy that you found your ring,I am even more happy that you shared with us this very valuable lesson.

    God bless!

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  14. I am so jealous that you got to hear Mitch Albom speak! I love his books!

    kmhaskin.blogspot.com

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  15. Oh, I love Mitch Albom! And congrats on graduating!

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  16. Oh, you got a pretty cool speaker! Congrats on graduating!

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  17. What a great speech! I am glad you found your ring though!

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  18. I've never read any of his books, but that speech sounds incredible. If I have time, I'll listen to it later. It definitely sounds more interesting than the Boise State commencement...

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  19. That sounds like an amzing speech! And I'm glad you found your ring! I remember waking up one day and it wasn't on my finger only to find it in the sheets hahahahaha But I agree, marriage is eternal whereas the ring is just something pretty. ;)

    And thanks for the comment ;) Your blog is stinkin cute! Can't wait to hear more from you ;)

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  20. thank you for the sweet comment on my blog!!! I am loving yours!!!! So cute

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  21. Of all the commencement speeches I have heard thus far Mitch Albom was by far the best. I still think about everything he said. I loved 'Tuesdays with Morrie'. The made for t.v. movie is wonderful also. I even had a headache after the stress of your ring and kept praying that as upset as you were that you would be able to enjoy your day and celebrate in your accomplishments. We are so proud of you!

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  22. P.S. And I'm thrilled you did find it :)

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  23. how wonderful ... I just might go back sometime and listen to his speech.

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  24. that is so amazing! you're so lucky!!! i am obsessed with mitch albom- i've read all his books!

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  25. sorry i didn't see your comments until today :). i know isn't his hair just so fun & lots of it & william is his daddy's name. its a good name for sure. so glad you found your ring but that you also learned that lesson. i know i forget a lot of times

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  26. that book, Tuesdays With Morrie, had me BAWLING my eyes out. Its such a changing book. loveeee it!

    happy weekend lady!

    ps. I am hosting a GIVEAWAY if you're interested

    http://ashley-warner.blogspot.com/2011/05/calling-all-persons-who-enjoy-free.html

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  27. Glad you found your ring! I would be upset too. x

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  28. I just found your blog and I'm glad I did! Congratulation on graduating!! And I'm so glad you found your wedding ring...just curious, where did you find it? Was it in a spot you had already checked? lol sorry if that seems random, but I was curious! :)

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  29. I think you describe all of our emotions from that day very well. We were taught a great lesson but I'm sure glad you found your ring.

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  30. What a great lesson. I love his books. My grandmother passed away from ALS so Tuesdays with Morrie really is a tough one for me. I hope you found your ring! And congrats again on graduating!

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  31. That is so inspiring! I really want to graduate. Hopefully I can pull that off soon. LOVE your blog :)

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  32. Geesh I love this! What great sentiment.

    I noticed you commented on my blog last week and just barely got over to yours... and I instantly added you to my list! Great blog! Looking forward to more :)

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