“But behind all you stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.”
--Chick Benetto
I am very Chick Benetto, the main character in the book “For One More Day” (FOMD) by Mitch Albom. I finished reading the book on the night of June 21, 2009 which was a Sunday. After that, I immediately journaled the similarities in Chick’s life and my life. Let me give you the list:
1. He attempted to commit suicide just like what I did when I was in second year high school. His method was more creative though. Chick and Kring tried to end it all.
2. Chick was born in November. He was the first born just like my Ate May who was born on November as well.
3. Chick has divorced parents. Mine were separated. Those are different things I believe. He himself was divorced with this wife Catherine. I pray it would not happen to me.
4. Chick spent his growing years without his father at home. It was only his mother Posey who stood up for him. I’m living my life right now without Papa at home. Mama is the only one standing up for me and my sisters.
5. Chick’s mom encouraged him to focus more on his studies than baseball. Mama encourages me to focus more on my studies than dancing for C*CATT Street.
6. Chick got a college scholarship. I’m enjoying mine right now.
7. Chick collected the times his mother stood up for him and the times he didn’t stand up for her. I’m in the process of collecting mine. Oh, my! Guilt kills!
8. Chick’s mom worked as a hairdresser and a nurse. She reminds me of my grandmother. She’s a hairdresser too and she’s in the States working as a caregiver.
9. Chick was a salesman. Mama is a real estate agent. Similar enough.
10. Chick’s mom would put red lipstick just like Mama who can’t live without it.
11. Chick met his future wife Catherine in a bar. I met my only crush now in a bar too. Haha!
12. Chick’s daughter Maria writes and I write too. This time, I see myself in Maria. Oh, and my ex-crush is Joseph. Joseph and Maria. Very nice.
13. Chick and I lied to our mothers. “I lied. It was the worst lie I ever told... it wasn’t [school work]. I went to [training and rehearsals]... I was desperate to please [myself].”
14. Chick’s father drank a lot and he himself became a drunkard. Papa’s like that too. But I don’t think I’ll be a drunkard as well. Haha.
15. Chick’s mom was ridiculed by the stupid neighbours. I hate our neighbours for looking down on Mama and us. God bless them all!
I’ve learned a lot from Chick Benetto’s life especially with his relationship with his family. If I were Chick in his age as mine. I would definitely stand up for mother. I am the first born and the only guy left in the family and I must stand up for my family no matter what. It was never my parents’ fault that they could not be together. They were just victims of their wrong decisions. Suicide and drinking would not be my option, for God’s sake! I tried it once and I will never do it again. My life now would always reflect what will happen in the future and I don’t want my kids to live the negative side of the life I had.
This is the most important lesson I got from FOMD: if there is an opportunity for you to express love, don’t wait for tomorrow; do it now or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. My present status with mother really made the tears come out of me as I read through the book. I’ve been very selfish for the past years and now, I really am trying to make it up to my mother. It’s time I stand up for her because she’s my only inspiration for everything. ###
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