The Eulogy of Morrie Schwartz

Connor Vamos

04.26.2018

Sarah Gammie

ENG4U

The Eulogy of Morrie Schwartz

“Morrie has and will forever more change my life. Before we met in grad school, I had no direction in my life, I was just existing in my life, not living it. I wasn’t myself back then, but Morrie taught me how to find myself, he taught me enjoy the little things in my life, he taught me to take nothing for granted… he taught me to cherish every moment.”

This is the introduction of Charlotte’s speech, she introduces Morrie as her life long companion and a life long teacher. Her expressions are of happiness, a smile on her face, speaking louder and quicker than normal. She is very animated for this part of the speech, using her hands to help convey the story she is trying to tell.

“Morrie’s health has been a struggle for all of us. But he taught us to think positively, even in what may seem like the direst of circumstances. It’s funny how death has a way of changing you, it creates an appreciation of the true beauty that lies within the life you’ve lived and the experiences you’ve had. I learned that even if I was to solely focus on the path ahead of me that I would miss what’s happening around me. Life is so much more than that…more than school, more than work, more than money. Life is about giving and impacting the world and the people around you, one day at a time.”

Charlotte continues with the lessons she has learned from Morrie but introduces the health problems he’s been experiencing and the change in mentality it has given to everyone. Here would be a more intimate part of the speech, Charlotte is speaking clearly and directly about her husband’s health. A somber look on her face and hands to her sides.

“Morrie once told me that; “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and to devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” To me this means that our live should be about caring for others, to learn, to grow, to improve every single day, to be a better person than I was yesterday.”

One of Morrie’s favorite mantra, “love or perish”, is the last lesson he taught to all of us. It means in the absence of love, there is a void that can only be filled by another loving human relationship. The importance of love in all our lives has been ever clearer during these last few months because without the care and love that we all give him, there is no doubt in my mind that we would not all be sitting here celebrating this wonderful man.”

This is the mid point of Charlotte’s speech, here is a more of an insightful part of her speech. Charlotte is telling her audience about important lessons that Morrie has shown her. Much like the previous section, she’s speaking clearly and directly about her husband.