ON THE ROAD

The first week of this whirlwind tour was pretty amazing. We kicked it off in New York with an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” then flew to Florida for an event that night and another event early the next day in a bookstore. I was stunned by how many people were there at 9 in the morning. I mean, I know they have nice weather and everything, but still…

Although the experiences were great in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, reading to an audience at the Music Hall, and a fundraiser in Hartford, Connecticut, helping literacy during a luncheon, the highlight had to be in my hometown, Detroit, last Wednesday night, when Tony Bennett, Hank Azaria and Joe Dumars all came in to help launch the book and raise money for the homeless. That was beyond memorable. Hank and Joe told insightful, funny stories, and Tony Bennett not only sang, he did his finale by putting down the microphone and bellowing a rendition of “Fly Me To The Moon” BY HIMSELF without any amplification. The guy is 80 years old, and his voice rang off the rafters of the Fox Theater! It was one of those goosebump moments. The event grossed over $100,000 to help the homeless in Detroit, and to all those who attended, I am truly grateful.

STARBUCKS: Tuesday begins the much-anticipated Starbucks experience, with an appearance in New York at the Starbucks at 29^th and Park. The Starbucks chain will be carrying For One More Day  nationwide, encouraging people to read it and get together with others to discuss it. It’s sort of a book club on a huge national stage, and I love the idea that a big company is encouraging people to read. Starbucks is also donating one dollar from every book sold to the Jumpstart literacy organization. That makes it even better. I have the full schedule of the eight Starbucks I will be visiting and speaking at on this website, under the tour dates and schedules – so if you are near one, please come by and say hello. I’ve now seen some of the posters they have for the stores, as well as questions about For One More Day and its story and characters. It’s incredibly flattering and humbling to see this much effort for my book. I know another writer will enjoy this experience after me, and another after that. I hope they get the same kick out of it that I am.

FEEDBACK: If you’ve had a chance to read For One More Day, I’d love to hear from you on this website. And as a means of bringing together those who read it, if you feel comfortable, please share a brief story of someone you would like to spend one more day with if you had the chance. I think one person’s story will weave interestingly into another’s.

Comments

[Greg]

I just finished reading "For one more day" and loved it. It makes one stop and think about yourself as well as those you have lost over the years. I am grateful to still have both my parents living. The book reminds you that what we have today may be gone tomorrow. Cherish what time we have with loved ones now, and make great memories that you will be able to smile about when remembering the past.

[Jean]

Unfortunately, I missed receiving my book at the charity launch, but read a friend's copy. I felt that one of the recurring themes in For One More Day is missed opportunities to let someone know how much they've influenced or helped you in difficult times or situations (where I also wanted to leave like Chick).

My wished-for person is the same as one of my Five People to meet again ... my piano teacher, Mrs. Anderson. She wanted to meet for a holiday lunch; because of my work schedule, I sent her a Christmas card indicating that I could see her during my work week break. I received a call from her daughter saying my card was received the day she died on a Saturday. It bothers me still that I didn't take time "away" from work and meet with a caring teacher/friend who encouraged me during a dark time.

[Nicole Young]

I have not read the book yet, but I just got it and can't wait to start! The theme of it is so appealing to me.

The person I would spend one day with would be my son. He was born 14 weeks premature in April of this year. He was our little fighter. He lieve for 33 days and passed away at the end of May. I have no regrets over my sons life. If I would have known this would be the outcome I may have never left his side, but we loved him, sang to him, told him stories about his mommy and daddy. I am convinced that he received more love in 33 days than some do in a lifetime. So my day wouldn't be spent having to right any wrongs etc, but rather to just be with him and perhaps fulfill some of the things we will never get to do with him on this earth. He is greatly loved and always will be! (If you click on my name it will link you to the blog that chronicles my pregnacy, his birth, death and aftermath etc).

[Cathy Manthei]

I JUST finished FOR ONE MORE DAY and I loved it--looking for some discussion questions so will check out the STARBUCKS webesite to see what they have. My one more day would be with my mother--she died when I was 19---what a terrible time in ones life to have your relationship freeze with your mother!! I am sure there are stories that she could tell me that would be freeing for me. I also want to learn how to put in a zipper like she did AND I want her recipe for lasagne!!!! THANK YOU for writing such an insightful piece and for making us all thing what if I don't get ONE MORE DAY

[Spuck Pudman]

So Mitch -- what happened last night? I showed up to the Barnes & Noble in Bethel Park, PA to buy your book and meet you -- and there was a big sign out front saying "CANCELLED". What happened? When are you coming back?

[michie]

I finished the book last night. I work for Starbucks and I am a huge fan of all of your books - so I read this as fast as I could so I could encourage others to buy it, too.
It is a great book. I couldn't put it down, I just had to know what happened to Chick.
Again, all of your books are touching, inspirational, and human. I love it. Hope to see you in Dallas at Starbucks if I can drive up there for the day.

[Mrs. Big Mac]

I was lucky enough to be at the launch party at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on Sept. 27. What a wonderful night! I learned about a week after the event that a fairly new and dear friend had actually spent some time in a homeless shelter. I'm gratified that you, Mitch, choose to use your celebrity to help those who need a helping hand and that you invite the rest of us to join you from time to time. On to the book - I received it in the gift bag from the charity event and read it as soon as possible after receiving it. It is a wonderful book. I wish I could think of only one person with whom I would choose to spend one more day. I have been blessed to have had great parents who provided a wonderful, sort of typical, midwestern life. My parents were two solid-midwestern types who lived through the depression, the end of one world war and through the next world war. My father was a veteran and held only three jobs during his lifetime. My mother was an elementary teacher and, I believe, could have taught a dog to read! After 55 years of marriage, they were blessed to have departed this earth within 12 hours of each other. I was able to have a final conversation with my father that I'll never forget. It ended with, "I love you, Dad." To which he replied, "I love you too, sweetheart." Those were the last words we were able to exchange before he drifted into unconsciousness from which he never awoke. I was not able to have such a final conversation with my mother, who, was in the hospital room next to my father and was the last to pass. I kissed her goodnight and left for the evening telling her that I would see her tomorrow. She passed a few hours later just 20 minutes before I was able to make it back to the hospital. So I guess my choice would be to have one more day with my mother. One day would never be enough, but I think it would make us both happy. I strongly believe and practiced, especially during the last few years they were alive, doing for them as much as I could to make them happy and comfortable and saying things I wanted to say to them. I truly believe that no words of appreciation or love were omitted during the time we spent together. We laughed, we cried and we shared many things. What would I say to her? Probably more I love you's, thank you's and we'd laugh over all the old family stories one more time. I like to think that they somehow hear words that I whisper to them from time to time. I love you, Mother and Dad....always!

[Robin Morris]

My bookclub was offering a three book package, "Tuesdays With Morrie", "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" and "For One More Day". I have read both Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People. I had not heard of the new book. I just knew if it was a Mitch Albom book it was well worth any price. While I had read bot of the others, I did not own them, I had borrowed copies to read. always wanting a copy to call my own after reading them. You know how it goes, time goes by, money isn't there when you see them somewhere and time continues to move on. I decided when I saw this offer I would give myself a gift, the whole set. I can tell you this... it is worth every penny. I am so happy to be able to say I own these books, and truly believe any reader should have a set of their own.

I had already read the other two books,so, I let my co-workers read them. That was Monday of this week, it is now Friday both Co-Workers have not only read but have also gone out and purchased their own copies. One More Day will go around the office on Monday, get ready for some more book sales.

If I could have One More Day with someone, I would pick my Mother in Law. "Mimi" was not only my Mother in Law but my best friend for some 30 years.
I have missed her everyday since her passing three years ago, and I guess I will always miss her. Mimi was an avid reader leaving us with about 500 books at her passing, I just know these would have been part of her collection had she had the chance.

Had anyone told me I would find a book I would enjoy as much as Tuesdays With Morrie, I would never have believed them. I have to admit I think I did. One More Day is a spectacular read.

Many thanks to Mitch for the hours of enjoyment I have had while reading your stories.

[Christine from HONG KONG]

I've been waiting for Mitch's new books for a long time!! I gotta cross my fingers that I'll be able to find "For One More Day" in Hong Kong~~~=p I CAN'T miss it!!

[Sarah G]

My one more day would be spent with my mother, who died three years ago. We knew she was terminally ill with cancer so we all said our "goodbyes." She is never far from my thoughts.

The same month she died my husband, our two little kids and I moved from Milwaukee to Raleigh (North Carolina). I had to mourn for her alone--no one here had ever met her, they never knew what a wonderful person she was.

And yet through her death I met one very amazing person. Jacquie was a casual acquaintance and at a kids' bday party she came up to me and said, "I'm so sorry for your loss. I heard your mother died. My mother died when I was 19." I burst into tears in the middle of the party. And we figured out that there was a "club" of people who had lost their mothers. This book is the BEST book I have read in a long time because Mitch Albom is a member of the "club" and he writes about mothers in such a true way. Thank you.

[Jane]

Dear Mr. Albom,
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed yet another one of your books. Each one of your books has had an impact on my life. For years I've wondered what I would do if I had one more day with my grandfather. I'd want to tell him what a difference his unconditional love had on my life. I'd want to thank him for being there even when I thought I just wanted to be left alone. I have teenagers now myself. I remember being at an age when I was just "too busy." Oh, if I could turn back the clock. Your book has reinforced an idea I already firmly believe... when we leave this world, all that will really matter will be the memories we leave behind for those we love. Those are our true treasures and gifts. I will share your book with many other significant loved ones in my life. Thank you for writing books that make us think about the things that matter the most in this life.

[Matthew]

Hi~! I am from Singapore. "For One More Day" is a great book. Really enjoyed it as much as I had enjoyed reading "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "Tuesdays with Morrie". But could relate more with "For One More Day" as my mother passed away last year January and my dad passed away this year September.

Keep Up the great work~! It's Fantastic~!! =)

[Tamara M. Qtami]

I walked into Borders Chicago on October 11 to see whether or not an OAT study guide that I ordered arrived. Little did I know that Mitch Albom would be there signing copies of "For One More Day." I had to force myself to put the book down after my train ride home so that I wouldn't finish reading it too fast in order to prolong the 'living in the story' effect that great novels have on me. As I finished the story, all I could think about that night was my father's death, and the pleasant dreams that I had of him since. This 17th of October will be the 3rd year anniversary of his passing on. I had heard before that when we grieve, it is not as much the loved one's passing that pains us as much as all that we didn't say when that person was alive. My father was paralyzed in the nine longest months of our lives that preceded his death after a sudden stroke that robbed him of his ability to speak. All that I could think of in those months was the difficulty of having to live the last years of your life with out being able to say what you want to say to those you love. To me, it was the worst form of suffocating imprisonment. I thank God to this day for pressing on my heart to say all that I wanted to say to my father before he died. You see, in our family, we loved each other, but we were not open with our feelings. I don't think I've ever heard my father tell me that he loved me after I reached a certain age, but I know that he did in the way he cared for me, and the little things that he did to let me know. I was able to tell him...in that hospital room with my mom and sister crying in the corner, and I know that he understood me, by the dreams that I had of him after his death. In one particular dream, he was somehow the director of a black and white Egyptian film from the 1950's that we used to watch together. He smiled at me, a smile that spoke volumes, and above the mantel of a fireplace that happened to be down there, were two large verses in Arabic. I struggled to read the Arabic, (since I speak it but cannot read or write) but when I woke up I realized that I knew what he was trying to say, even though I did not understand the writing on the wall.

[Nanette Clark]

I attended the book signing yesterday at Piece of Mind Books in Edwardsville, Illinois. For One More Day has touched me, maybe in a different way than some, as I related more to Chick and how he felt and parts of the past I regret though the people involved are still around.

My "one more day" would be with my brother Steve. I was 24 when he died in a freak accident at the age of 21. He had the world by the tail as well as being mom's favorite of six and dad's favorite boy of three girls and three boys (I was the girl). Parents are not supposed to have favorites, I know that with my own, but I come from dysfunction. Steve was closest to me and our younger brother Brian. The other three siblings were much older than the three of us.

Steve had news that day he died that he had walked on the Saluki Football Team at SIU-Carbondale. Everyone had told him it was an impossible goal. He had a scholarship for Football to another college where he went for his Freshman and Sophomore years. He had always wanted to go to Carbondale. He decided to transfer (he lived with me that summer before he died). He had to sit out of football for a year after transferring. That didn't bother him, he kept training and was patient, as he said, he would have eligibility his first year of law school there. He called mom and dad that day to tell them his patience and work had paid off, he made the team for his senior year. Dad was so excited, Carbondale was his alma mater and where he had played football.

I don't have regrets of my relationship with Steve, but he was my best friend. Our last words were on the Easter Sunday two weeks before, as he walked across the yard to his ride back to school, I yelled, "Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" He turned around and came back and hugged me tight.

Just as he was getting to the car door again, I yelled, "Be careful!" He put his arm above his head with his back to me and yelled, "I always am!" And, that is what I have besides 21 years of sibling memories that make me laugh and make me cry, all warmly. I would love to talk to him about the accomplishment that day (I was unavailable and no cell phones then), to hug him again, to tell him I loved him one more time. I would love to see his face to know my oldest grandchild bears his name and wears it well. I would want him to know how terribly I miss him. How he inspired my last 27 years of study of death, dying, and grieving as well as my work with bereaved individuals.

I lost a 95-year-old friend to cancer in 2004. I had my one more day with her, in fact, six months. She had surgery to relieve a blockage only for reduction of pain. She had a DNR. The cancer was so pervasive, they did a colostomy and she coded on the table. Because she was in surgery they ignored the DNR and revived her. As I sat with her in ICU for about four hours, holding her hand, and watched the monitors on her respirator (that I knew she didn't want) and her blood pressure close to that of a dead person, my mind went over my story with her.

I went home that night and wrote it. The next morning, I gave it to her daughter in ICU and really expected that it was a eulogy. Twenty-four hours later, when she came out of the coma and off of the respirator, her daughter gave it to her. It was in a blue plastic clear folder. Every time I visited, it was in a box by her bed. She would touch it and told me she read it every day. I was so blessed to have that chance for her to know how she had and did touch my life.

Six months later, two days before she passed, in one of our visits, her breathing was very labored, she was on oxygen, and she was sleeping in her chair to breathe. She didn't like the hospital bed hospice had installed. We talked frankly, I had a conference that Friday and Saturday and she told me she hoped I wouldn't make it back to see her.

During the course of our visit she said she needed my help. She said she felt selfish asking God for herself, so she wanted me to pray that God would take her home as soon as possible. I told her it wasn't selfish, but I did and promised to continue to stand in the gap for her. When I rose to go, I leaned down, hugging her frail frame carefully. I kissed her on the forehead. I leaned back down adding two more kisses. I told her the first one was hers and I would like her to pass the others on to my dad and Steve when she saw them. She promised. Don't know why I haven't written all this down before or never all together before.

With her families permision, I entered the piece I wrote for her, the one she read the last six months of her life, in the 2005 Writer's Digest Annual writing competition and it received Honorable Mention in the Inspirational Category.

I am so thankful for that last day, I may regret not visiting ofen enough that last six months but will never regret our one last day.

For One More Day is a wonderful book and a poignant reminder that we only have today and are promised nothing beyond it, we should tell those people in our life what they mean to us!

I am posting in this comment in my blog, as well as a product review and a review in my portfolio (all at my url at Writing.Com) sometime this week. I was honored to meet you yesterday!

[Stephanie Jourdan]

Mr.Albom,
Wow!! I just finished reading for one more day. Awesome!! I was so impressed I went out and bought Tuesdays with Morrie, the five people you meet in Heaven. My great grandfather died a few months ago and even though we were "close" I lived a 1,000 miles away. The last time I saw him he was in the hospital. I had flown in because I knew "this was it" and went straight from the airport to the hospital. When I got there he was lying down with machines hooked all over him. He tried to talk to me but I could not make out his words because of his mask. All I can remember is looking in his eyes and seeing pain,joy... Shortly after that he went into a coma for over a weeka and died.I will never forget that moment. This book made me think what I would do if I had been given one more day. I love how this make me think,"What would I ask?... How did he really feel about certain issues. THis book explored soo many things from morality,death to how people go into depression. This book shows how much parents really do affect their kids, "you can be a daddy's boy or a momma's boy but not both" vs. his mother's discipline, love-why do we hold one to a higher standard? This book also explored divorce, which I am familiar with. My parents divorced when I was little. This book reminds me of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, even though the words are simple the ideas, thoughts behind them transend time,age,gender.... Thank you so much for all of your wonderful writings and your honesty in them.

[Bryan Baxter]

I just finished reading your new book "For One More Day". It was extremely human in the sense of healing and compassion for something that we will all encounter on some level, at some point in our lives. Reading this book was extremely healing for me. My need for healing began just about a year ago, my Mother was very ill fighting an illness (auto-immune hepatitis) and was hospitalized needing a liver tansplant...while my Mother was in the hospital my father was diagnosed with malignamt mesothelioma. My Dad was diagnosed on October 26, 2005...and my Mom passed away on November 26, 2005. Thank you for writing such a human book about something that all people will encounter on some level at some point in their lives. I will be giving the book to my sister to read. I know it has helped me to deal with the death of my mother and to better prepare for the coming death of my father. Thank you,

Bryan Baxter, Gardner, Massachusetts

[steve]

For one more day (as well as tuesdays with morrie and the five people you meet in heaven) is very touching story. Just like some of the other readers, I bought the book because the author was M.Albom.

Anyway, just a little question. The pictures of the girls on the last page, was it Posey? And the mummy kid, was it Mitch? Coincidence huh?

[elizabeth]

i just wanted to say that you are a teriffic writer && we just finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie in my college writting class. That book teaches alot about treating you family with care && to always remember them even when you are over worked. i love the book.
-elizabeth
17 years old

[ed emmons]

wonderful book to read, it brought back many vivid memories of my relationship with my mother, some remarkably similar to those in your book. My mother was a nurse who cared for the sick and rejected. As a Young boy, I often helped my mother care for the elderly and on one occasion I held the hand of an elderly woman who was dying; she talked to her past friends and family as she lay in her death bed. after she died, I told my mother about what I had seen and she said that she was talking with the past departed family and friends. She died peacefully and squeezed my hand as she took her last breath. This has stayed with me since that day many years ago, when I was only twelve years old.
My wife died on October 16, 1999 in her sleep. Since that day, I still continue to hear her "echoes". I would love to have just one more day with her.
Thank you for the wonderful memories
of her and the many love ones who have
gone on that I remembered while I read your
book.

[ed emmons]

wonderful book to read, it brought back many vivid memories of my relationship with my mother, some remarkably similar to those in your book. My mother was a nurse who cared for the sick and rejected. As a Young boy, I often helped my mother care for the elderly and on one occasion I held the hand of an elderly woman who was dying; she talked to her past friends and family as she lay in her death bed. after she died, I told my mother about what I had seen and she said that she was talking with the past departed family and friends. She died peacefully and squeezed my hand as she took her last breath. This has stayed with me since that day many years ago, when I was only twelve years old.
My wife died on October 16, 1999 in her sleep. Since that day, I still continue to hear her "echoes". I would love to have just one more day with her.
Thank you for the wonderful memories
of her and the many love ones who have
gone on that I remembered while I read your
book.

[dan]

Loved the book!... couldn't put it down...
another read that helps keep one "grounded" emotionally. I wonder how Mitch meets these folks?? :)
One critical, burning question I hope to ask Mitch some day... the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates (in the playoffs) doesn't seem to match Chick's story (???)...I hope Mitch is able to elaborate on that at some point.. .

[Pauletta Clark]

Hi everyone:

I have just read all the comments posted so far and at this momemt cannot stop crying. I have not lost my mother or father only grandparents but I have lost dear people to me and it is so bittersweet to read all the memories from all of you. One person wrote that the only thing that is really important is the love we leave behind. That is so true. I wish everyone could know that. Last month I lost a friend to sucide and it should not have happened. I would like to have one more day with him and spare him from that lonely feeling before he took his life. Thanks Mitch for reminding us of what is important.
Pauletta

[peggy]

Thank you so much for writing this book. I just finished it and still wiping the tears away. I am emailing everyone i know to read this book so they can enjoy it as much as i have. this book will not onl y keep my grounded but encourage me to live my life to the fullest with the ones i love. one of my fav phrases is yesterday is gone tommorrow in no guarantee and today is a present. treat it as such. eveynight no matter where my kids i tell them i love them and let them know they are important to me. Thank you for touching so many lives and sharing ur writing with the world. my mom died in 99 and she had been sick in feb in the hospitol. i lived in the mountains and the dr said cuz of her weak lungs she shouldnt visit me cuz of the snow fog and altitude.but she was determined to and so we had a great time visiting over my bday tho a month after her hospitol visit she wasnt totally well. it was a very special time for me that ill never forget. after she went home she spent time with all her kids and grand kids and with in a few days passed on to the next world where she watches over all of us. on this anniversary of her death i have tea with her and talk with her. Ive told her that im mad at her for dieing but i also know she is pain free and that she is happier where she is now in heaven. she still gives advice. and lets me know that what im doing is ok or not so ok. people never leave u totally just change worlds.
thank you again for this book and am looking forward to more from u !!! keep up the great work please

[Anonymous]

Wow, amazing book! While standing in line at Starbucks I happened to pick up this book. I read the flap and found that it immediately resonated with me. I am a young man, 30, and I was raised by my mother. I had a step-father during my adolescence and similar to the father in the book, he was verbally abusive to my mother, and I often was looking for his attention. My mother was young and pretty and I also showed her disdain for "embarassing me". From the mummy costume that fell apart to the scorn I showed her @ 11 when she dropped me off at school, this has all happened to me (same exact stories!). Unlike Chick, I have made efforts to reverse my earlier transgressions b/c I have luckily recognized her great sacrifices, however this book has made me want to double my efforts. My gift to my mother is this book. I happily share what I've written on the title page to her:

Mom, I've given you this book for all those times I've never done enough. This book has greatly resonated with me and I am confident you will feel the same. You will find many parallels to our own relationship, and amazingly, stories that could have come from our own lives. The last couple of years I have noticed all of the things you have done for me, yet I know I haven't always expressed my gratitude. I feel this book does an excellent job of showing my recognition of your support. The mother in the story demonstrates the selflessness you possess. If I ever don't recognize or show the proper adulation for something you have done, please look at this book and know I am thankful and I see the good things you do.

Love... Me

[LK Hunsaker]

I came here from a blog entry of a writing acquaintance who attended your signing in IL. I admit I haven't read it yet, but I will be at Starbucks again soon, I'm quite sure. ;-)

Your question pulled me in and my first answer was my grandfather, who I lost to cancer when he was much too young. But ... more important to me is something I've never discussed. As a teen, I casually dated this guy who was part of the unpopular crowd, as I was. For me, there was nothing more than friendship but I knew he wanted more than that. Unfortunately, I was still too young to know quite how to handle such a situation and instead of sharing my thoughts, started pulling away. He had the feeling I was embarrassed about being seen with him. Maybe I was, to be honest with myself. Anyway, after he graduated, that was it ... no more contact.

Several years later, I heard that he committed suicide. I've wondered ever since if I played a part in that and would love to have one more day with him to explain how confused I was and how I did enjoy his company ... anything but silence.

As I said, I've never shared that before. Maybe I should keep sharing it.

I'm a writer, also, and I wish you continued success in touching people's lives.