rich-mitch-blog1

[rich-mitch-blog1]

August 1995

I think that the craziest thing about life is that anything can happen unexpectedly.  Everything that you do and everybody that you meet is by chance.  Back when I was in college, I was lucky enough to meet a professor named Morrie Schwartz.  We became really close throughout my college years, but after I graduated, that was it.  I lost all contact with my old friend and I just continued living my own life.  I became obsessed with making more money and winning more awards that I forgot about the man who helped me throughout my youthful years; the years where I was the most vulnerable and confused.  Shamefully, I almost completely forgot about him.  However, a miracle happened one night when I was flipping through channels on the television.  To my surprise, my old professor, Morrie, was featured on the program ‘Nightline’.  I had to go see him again.  This morning, I flew to go visit him at his home in Massachusetts.  I’m embarrassed to say that I was embarrassed to meet with him again.  I didn’t want to face him because I knew how much I probably hurt him by forgetting to visit earlier.  Almost instantly, it felt as if we were back in the 70′s, talking like nothing happened.  We caught up on a lot of things and what is going on in our lives.  It’s usually easy to talk to Morrie.  He listens to you when you talk and is incredibly insightful.  But today was different from the talks that we would have years ago. ��Morrie is dying, and we both knew it.  Usually, I would talk to him without a second thought.  But today, as I talked to him, I found it hard to be at ease.  There was a constant lump in my throat from the realization that he’s about to die.  I can’t believe it.  I don’t want to believe it.  With every passing minute that I spoke with him, I had to distract myself away from the idea of his death.  Right now, I’m on the airplane home.  I made a promise to him that I will visit him every Tuesday from now on.  I’m making a promise to myself to go every week and spend as much time with him as possible.  I wish that I could go back in time and slap myself in the face for not visiting him earlier.  I hate myself for ignoring Morrie all these years.  I never understood why good people have to die and bad people get to live.  I can’t accept the fact that Morrie has to suffer and serial killers are blessed with perfectly healthy bodies.  It isn’t fair.  Life isn’t fair.  

[rich-mitch-blog1]

October 1995

I just got back from my most recent visit from Morrie.  I have goosebumps and my entire body is numb.  I want to throw up and cry at the same time.  I could barely look at him today.  His face was sunken in from all angles and his voice was shaken.  To think about his appearance before he got sick is to think about what feels like centuries ago.  It’s not that I didn’t want to look at him, it’s just that I couldn’t.  Every time we made eye contact, it’s almost as if I was looking at death itself.  And I was ashamed.  I was ashamed that I was healthy and he was sick.  I was ashamed that I could eat properly and he could barely swallow.  I was ashamed that I couldn’t speak with him genuinely, because with every word that I spoke, I had the burning thought at the back of my head that this could be the last time I talked to him.  But what I still cannot comprehend is that Morrie is okay with all of this.  He accepts the fact that he’s going to die and knows that he can’t stop it.  I’m jealous of the way that he can so easily be accepting of something that isn’t fair.  But I guess that life itself isn’t fair and nobody can do anything about it.  No matter how much you want something to happen, if it’s not meant to be, then it won’t.  If death wants to take somebody, it will.  I just wish that there was a way to stop all of his suffering.  I’m wishing on every star, throwing pennies in every well, and begging the universe, that Morrie will miraculously get better.  I want to wake up from what this nightmare that just keeps getting worse.  I just want it all to end, but we all know the truth. Morrie is going to die and that’s the way life is.  I guess that all I can do is enjoy the time I have with him and appreciate every moment that passes.

[rich-mitch-blog1]

November 1995

Last week was Morrie’s funeral.  I’m sitting here in my recliner, looking out at the window beside me.  I’m on the 27th floor of the Marriott Hotel and I can see the entire city right now.  Under the cover of the night, the lights of the city flicker like fireflies.  I look up to the starry night sky and I know that Morrie is up there looking down on me.  I’m watching the lights of the city buildings shutting on and off.  It’s times like this that really let you evaluate your life.  Right now, at this moment, everyone is living their own individual life.  Everyone has their own stories to tell, everyone has their own issues to solve, and everyone has their own goals that they wish to accomplish.  Somebody is running right now, somebody is sleeping right now, and somebody is dying right now.  Each life is significant, but it has a timeline.  It has a beginning and an end.  It’s up to us to choose how we spend the middle.  Too many of us fear death and spend most of our lives being worried.  If we spend our time regretting the past and being troubled by the future, then we will never truly enjoy the present.  I’m not afraid of death anymore.  My biggest fear is living a life that I will regret.  From now on, I’ve decided to enjoy life as it is and stop worrying about whatever tomorrow holds.  I want to spend more time with my wife and my friends.  I think I’m ready for a family, too.  I’m not much of a family guy, but if it happens, then I’ll try and be the best father ever.  I’ll raise my kids to see the world as a beautiful place and to love one another.  There are too many spiteful people on this earth.  If I could raise my children to see the positive side of the world then that would be the greatest gift any future-father could have.  I’ll love them with all my heart and teach them to accept and give love.  I want to live life enjoying the little things and just let the ocean take me with the waves.  Life is too short to be stressed.  Instead, life should be lived with love, compassion, and appreciating every breathing moment.

[rich-mitch-blog1]

This song sung by Leona Lewis (written by Coldplay) is called “Run”.  It’s about saying goodbye but always remembering the memories that you had.  Regardless of how apart you are, you will always be there for each other in your hearts.  When someone that you love dies, you will still be there for each other in spirit.

(Lyrics Below)

"Run" (originally by Snow Patrol)

I'll sing it one last time for you Then we really have to go You've been the only thing that's right In all I've done

And I can barely look at you But every single time I do I know we'll make it anywhere Away from here

Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you, dear

Louder, louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes Makes it so hard not to cry And as we say our long goodbyes I nearly do

Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you, dear

Louder, louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say

Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you cannot hear my voice I'll be right beside you, dear

Louder, louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say

[rich-mitch-blog1]

This song by Eric Clapton is called “Tears In Heaven”.  It’s about losing someone close and hoping to see them again one day in heaven.  Although someone dies, that shouldn’t take away your relationship with them.  One of Morrie’s famous aphorisms is “Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

(Lyrics Below)

“Tears In Heaven”

Would you know my name

If I saw you in heaven?

Would it be the same

If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong

And carry on,

‘Cause I know I don’t belong

Here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand

If I saw you in heaven?

Would you help me stand

If I saw you in heaven?

I’ll find my way

Through night and day,

'Cause I know I just can’t stay

Here in heaven.

Time can bring you down,

Time can bend your knees.

Time can break your heart,

Have you begging please, begging please.

Beyond the door,

There’s peace I’m sure,

And I know there’ll be no more

Tears in heaven.

Would you know my name

If I saw you in heaven?

Would it be the same

If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong

And carry on,

'Cause I know I don’t belong

Here in heaven.

[rich-mitch-blog1]

This song by 2Pac is called “Life Goes On”.  It’s about paying respect to all the brothers getting killed on the streets.  Regardless of how you die or who you are, you will always be remembered by someone.  You shouldn’t be sad to die because you left a mark on the world while you were alive and nothing can take that away from you.

(Lyrics Below)

“Life Goes On”

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a ‘G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a ‘G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

As I bail through tha empty halls

Breath stinkin’

In my draws

Ring, ring, ring

Quiet y'all

Incoming call

Plus this my homie from high school

He’s getting bye

It’s time to bury another brotha nobody cry

Life as a baller

Alcohol and booty calls

We usta do them as adolecents

Do you recall?

Raised as G’s

Loc'ed out and blazed the weed

Get on tha roof

Let’s get smoked out

And blaze with me

2 in tha morning

And we still high assed out

Screamin’ 'thug till I die’

Before I passed out

But now that your gone

I’m in tha zone

Thinkin’

'I don’t wanna die all alone’

But now ya gone

And all I got left are stinkin’ memories

I love them niggas to death

I’m drinkin’ Hennessy

While tryin’ ta make it last

I drank a 5th for that ass

When you passed….

Cause life goes on

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a 'G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a 'G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

Yeah nigga

I got tha word as hell

Ya blew trial and tha judge gave you

25 with an L

Time to prepare to do fed time

Won’t see parole

Imagine life as a convict

That’s gettin’ old

Plus with tha drama

We’re lookin out for your baby’s mama

Taken risks, while keepin’ cheap tricks from gettin on her

Life in tha hood

Is all good for nobody

Remember gamin’ on dumb hotties at chill parties

Me and you

No true a two

While scheming on hits

And gettin tricks

That maybe we can slide into

But now you buried

Rest nigga

Cause I ain’t worried

Eyes blurry

Sayin’ goodbye at the cemetary

Tho’ memories fade

I got your name tated on my arm

So we both ball till’ my dying days

Before I say goodbye

Kato and Mental rest in peace

Thug till I die

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a 'G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a 'G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

Bury me smilin’

With G’s in my pocket

Have a party at my funeral

Let every rapper rock it

Let tha hoes that I usta know

From way before

Kiss me from my head to my toe

Give me a paper and a pen

So I can write about my life of sin

A couple bottles of Gin

In case I don’t get in

Tell all my people I’m a Ridah

Nobody cries when we die

We outlaws

Let me ride

Until I get free

I live my life in tha fast lane

Got police chasen me

To my niggas from old blocks

From old crews

Niggas that guided me through

Back in tha old school

Pour out some liquor

Have a toast for tha homies

See we both gotta die

But ya chose to go before me

And brothas miss ya while your gone

You left your nigga on his own

How long we mourn

Life goes on

How many brothers fell victim to the streets

Rest in peace young nigga, there’s a Heaven for a 'G’

Be a lie, If I told ya that I never thought of death

My niggas, we tha last ones left

But life goes on

[rich-mitch-blog1]

This song is by Coldplay and is called “42″.  Sometimes when somebody close to you dies, you think about them constantly and have a hard time letting go.  Their memories will always live inside your head, but you shouldn’t let it overtake your mind.

(Lyrics Below)

“42″

Those who are dead, are not dead

They’re just living in my head

And since I fell for that spell

I am living there as well

Oh,

Time is so short and I’m sure

There must be something more

Those who are dead, are not dead

They’re just living in my head, oh

And since I fell for that spell

I am living there as well, oh

Time is so short and I’m sure

There must be something more.

You thought you might be a ghost

You thought you might be a ghost

You didn’t get to heaven but you made it close

You didn’t get to heaven but you made it close

You thought you might be a ghost

You thought you might be a ghost

You didn’t get to heaven but you made it close

You didn’t get to heaven but you oh, oh,

Oh, oh,

Those who are dead are not dead

They’re just living in my head

Oh

[rich-mitch-blog1]

This is a song by Christina Aguilera called “Hurt”.  It’s about losing somebody and regretting the things left unsaid.  Often times when somebody dies, there are things that you wish you could’ve said earlier and things that you regret doing to that person.  It’s always important to tell people how you genuinely feel because you never know when death will take them.

(Lyrics Below)

“Hurt”

Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face

You told me how proud you were but I walked away

If only I knew what I know today

Ooh oohI would hold you in my arms

I would take the pain away

Thank you for all you’ve done

Forgive all your mistakes.There’s nothing I wouldn’t do

To hear your voice again.

Sometimes I wanna call you but I know you won’t be thereOh, I’m sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn’t do

And I’ve hurt myself by hurting youSome days I feel broke inside but I won’t admit

Sometimes I just wanna hide ‘cause it’s you I miss

And it’s so hard to say goodbye when it comes to this, ooh, whoaWould you tell me I was wrong?

Would you help me understand?

Are you looking down upon me?

Are you proud of who I am?There’s nothing I wouldn’t do

To have just one more chance

To look into your eyes and see you looking backOh, I’m sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn’t do

And I’ve hurt myself, oh, oh, oh.If I had just one more day

I would tell you how much that I’ve missed you since you’ve been awayOh, it’s dangerous

It’s so out of line

To try and turn back timeI’m sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn’t do

And I’ve hurt myself by hurting you