TW: Death, miscarriage, road accident.
This book is the sequel to Mitch Albom’s ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven.’ The story starts with our protagonist Annie, a 30-years old nurse at her wedding. Within a few hours of the happy beginning, Annie and her Husband Paulo met with an accident and ended up at the hospital with serious injuries.
In this life-and-death situation, Annie met 5 people in heaven and learned things that were not clear to understand on earth. These 5 people are the most important and had the highest impacts on her life.
But, what happened to Annie and Paulo at the end? Well, the answers are in the book.
Mitch’s language is easy, full of metaphors, sensitive, and warm. One thing I have noticed is the necessity of connection or human relationships in his books. It is not the best book. It is not like you have never read or heard about this learning. However, even if it starts with a sad beginning, the ending will give you hope and a warm feeling.
Here are the 5 lessons from the 5 people.
▶️ The first person was Sameer, Annie’s doctor when she met with an accident in her childhood. He taught her how everything and everyone is connected.
▶️ 2nd person was Cleo, her old dog. Cleo taught us how kindness is crucial to survival and how it is helping us while we are helping others.
▶️ Lorraine, Annie’s mother taught her the beauty of grace and forgiveness to move on. Healing is difficult but it is necessary. Especially, when the scars are formed in a parent-child relationship.
▶️ Eddie, who saved Annie’s life in her childhood, taught us that every person has a purpose in this universe. Even if their occupation or contribution seems little.
▶️ The last person just simply shows what love is. “It comes when it comes. Simple as that.”
“All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time…Heaven held the answers to all her earthly questions.”