How can one close what has been such a difficult school year? This past year came with a set of circumstances that almost knocked me over! The two songs alluded to in the episode describe it perfectly: Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" and Elton John's "I'm Still Standing"! I worked constantly under pressure but remained standing. My sincerest gratitude to those students who kept me going!

So many topics were discussed in this novel. One of the most interesting conversations Mitch Albom had with Morrie was on this very universal topic of money. No matter how old a person is, it's always an issue. No matter the amount, it's usually not enough. It's all a matter of perception.

Possessing many material things or a great deal of money won't mean much if one doesn't know what to do with it. If a person only takes and doesn't give back to society, of what use is having so many material goods?

I had nightmares for many weeks after the event. Slowly they began to subside but every time graduation time rolls around I think back and still wonder why it happened. Why some humans do what they do is a mystery. The human mind is a mystery in itself, a universe into its own.

Tales about twins abound in literature. Usually they entail an element of mystery. Why do you suppose that is? Probably just humans being human. When something is difficult to understand we speculate about its origin. With this story, what theory could we come up with? 

Why are some people in our lives? There is always some reason but more often than not we just cannot understand their presence until later in life or when it's too late. But maybe it's just as well. This episode is a reflection on this aspect of life inspired by the novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven. If you care to leave a message (audio or written), you may email it to [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!

As a requirement for the 12th-grade English course, students were required to select a certain portion of Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper to present to their classmates. This particular group chose to present their work as a game show.  They decided on a podcast theme to discuss sections 25 through 36 of the novel.

Enjoy!

A new year brings a new set of challenges.  For the young couple in the story, it will be doubly challenging. 

Season 3 was an eventful one. I shared a number of stories with the students which I thoroughly enjoyed producing. I'm looking forward to creating and sharing many more. I expect Season 4 to be just as eventful in a good way!

Time: How do we place a value on it? It depends on the society we live in. Some make the best use of it; others woefully waste it. How do we know in which group we fall? Only TIME can tell.

If you have any comments or concerns, please send your message (written or audio) to [email protected] 

I thought it fitting that I end season 2 and the year 2021 with a topic that has impacted our lives in so many ways: technology.

Ricky Martin's song "Living la Vida Loca" inspired this piece. I referenced it to the topic. This past year 2021 has been no picnic and if it weren't for the advances we've made in technology, we might not have made it to December. Technology has its advantages but it also has its drawbacks. Let's just hope that in 2022 we will be in a much better place in many respects despite Covid-19.