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How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

Created: 09/24/12

Replies: 4

Posted Sep. 24, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

"We’re all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one." (page 281) How did this realization affect Will's final days with his mom?


Posted Sep. 26, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

In some ways, I think this grim knowledge helps Will to see his mother as a new person "not a sick person, but not quite the same Mom I'd known all my life"(page 307). As someone who has recently lost her mother, I read many parts of this book with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Much of life becomes more difficult for Will - leaving his mom to keep up with regular business, passing through airports and feeling lonely. Then, finally, there is the guilt - things left unsaid. A haunting emotion that only someone who has lost their mother can understand. Yes, it is hard to los fathers, too. I've lost my father, but a mother is different. This may be slightly off topic BUT I loved the passage where Will's mom tells him how to use/share her frequent flier miles. That thought had actually been on my mind about my miles - that I must leave directions about the passwords and the miles going to my sister.


Posted Sep. 29, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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pennyn

Join Date: 10/21/10

Posts: 23

RE: How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

Somehow I think Will actually found more of his mother to love after realizing that death is deep and personal for everyone, especially for the one dying. Accepting death is something we are rarely trained to do. I feel more strength and love when holding the hands of a person who accepts the moment that has yet to come. It is my wish that I too travel that way.


Posted Sep. 29, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

I'm well aware I can never live long enough to read all the books I want to read. It used to bother me a lot but now I'm able to shrug it off because I know everyone knows this is true about whatever it is that means a lot to them, that it's impossible to get through it all. I try to think about how very much I have read and try to be grateful for that.


Posted Oct. 16, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: How did the realization that "we're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not," affect Will's final days with his mom?

I hope it made him appreciate each day more that he had with her.


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