FOR ONE MORE DAY

Written by: Mitch Albom

“Every family has a ghost story. The dead sit at our tables long after they have gone.”

About the Author:

Mitch Albom is the author of the International Bestsellers the Five People You Meet in
Heaven and Tuesdays with Morrie. He lives in Michigan with his wife Janine. He was
America’s number one Sports Columnist and he was also a former professional musician.

Setting:

The story happened in Pepperville Beach Village. It is Chick Benetto’s hometown, the
place where he has built good and bad memories with his family.

Characters:

Charles “Chick” Benetto – a former baseball player. A son who always took his mother’s
love for granted. He lived with the given fact that he is a daddy’s boy. He always tried to
please his father and leave his mother behind. But, when his mother died it changed his
life. He realized how much his mother loves him. He attempted to kill his own life but an
unexplainable incident happened, he was given one day opportunity to spend life with his
Mom.

Pauline “Posey” Benetto – Chick’s mother. A nurse but became a beautician when she
was divorced. A loving mother to Chick and Roberta.

Len Benetto – Chick’s Father. A former Soldier of World War II. A man who just thinks
of what he likes and what he wants.

Catherine – Chick’s wife. After Posey’s death and Chick’s alcoholism she divorced him
but they partially reconciled after Chick’s encounter with his dead mother.

Maria – Chick and Catherine’s daughter. She was born at height of Chick’s failed athletic
career. She took a sport’s writing job when she was a college student.

Roberta – Chick’s younger sister. As a child she loves to wear ballerina shoes. She also
lost contact with Chick when he was already alchoholic.
SUMMARY:

Chick is the oldest son of Len and Posey Benetto. He has a sister, Roberta who is four
years younger. Chick is a daddy’s boy but when his father left them he realized that he
was really a mama’s boy. When his mom and dad where divorced, No one new the real
story of the break up. Posey was a great Mom to Roberta and Posey but Chick always
took his mom for granted. Decades later, Chick became a bad man. He lived with alcohol
and regret. He loses his job and also his family. It became worst, when his daughter shut
him out of her wedding. He decided to take his life but upon failing to take his life, he
arrived in his house in Pepperville Beach. And in an unexplainable scenario, his mother is
there cooking breakfast for him. That is the chance where he had a day to be with his
mother again, and also the time where he learned the truth about he Mom and Dad’s
divorce.

Plot

Conflict

Man vs. Himself

Chick lived in alcohol and regret when his mother died from a heart attack. He realized
that his mother always stood up for him but he never cared for it. Until, the last time her
Mother lived he did not stood up for her. He hated himself that his Mother died in front of
her daughter Maria while he was away trying hard to play baseball just to please his
father.

Man vs. Society

When Posey was divorced to Len, people in their hometown hated her. Divorce, at
that time is not accepted by the public. The women in their village are jealous of her
because she’s pretty and she doesn’t wear housedress like the other housewives.
They felt that Posey is a threat to their family. Posey tried to live for her children
and make a better future for them despite of other people’s rejection.

Exposition:

It started when the author narrates that while he was in his hometown in Pepperville
Beach he had a chance to talk to Chick Benetto, a former baseball player.

Rising Action

Chick looked back ten years ago when his mother died. He remembered the day of the
funeral when he will bury his mother and her fourteen year old daughter said “I’m sorry
you didn’t have the chance to say goodbye, Dad.” He also remembered at that time he
broke down and after the funeral, he started to be alcoholic which leads to a rift in his life
and family
Climax:

When Maria sent to Chick her wedding pictures, Chick went wild because he felt that his
daughter doesn’t want her in her life. She was hurt when they didn’t even invite him on
his own daughter’s wedding. He decided to take his own life but he failed with two
attempts. As he reached their house he saw his mom cooking breakfast for him. She
cleaned his wounds and it started the day where he had a chance to spend a day with her.
It is also a chance to know everything that his mother kept from him.

Falling Action:

Posey brought Chick to her customers/friends. Chick learned that his mother is not only a
beautician but also cleaned houses. Chick got mad on why do her mother have to clean
others houses but he stopped when she said that she did it for them. Chick also learned
why the hospital fired her as a nurse –because she is a divorcee. Chick also learned that
his father had another family. That is why his mom and dad divorced. But, it is also the
time where he learned that the man he was trying to please is not worth it. His father is
selfish; he also left the other wife when his other son cannot play baseball because of an
injured leg.

Resolution

Chick ended his story when he shared his favorite childhood memory with his mom. At
that time, he already felt reality. He felt that his body is broken and he felt his mom
holding him giving him back to the real world. He also remembered that his father’s other
wife said that “forgive!” And he learned to forgive himself. He survived his suicide
attempts and he tried to make up for the life he has wasted. He communicated with his
daughter and he got civil with his ex-wife.
 FOR ONE MORE DAY
Written by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom wrote the book because he wanted to do a story for a moms and sons. Mr.
Albom said “A very unique story about mother and son--but not often explored--
relationship.” His relationship with his mother was behind the story of the book. He also
wanted to tell something about the terrible effects of a divorce on children. Mitch said
“This book let me explore how children, when their parents split, chase after the love that
eludes them. That chase often haunts you right into adulthood.”

I read the book because I got intrigued with its title and also from the words written on its
back cover. “If you had the chance, just one chance to go back and fix what you did
wrong in life, would you take it? And if you did, would you be big enough to stand it?”
Many people are hanging on the past, so it would be nice to read something that would go
back to it and learn the things that you never learned in your past life.

I have always been a fan of Mitch Albom books. He always gives inspiration to the
readers and this time an eye opener to the children who always took their parents for
granted. Mostly, our mothers are the ones we take for granted because we know that they
will always be there.

The author delivered the scenarios well which makes me crave for more. The part where
Posey is trying to let Chick see her past jobs it makes me hide back tears because it’s as if
you are spilled with cold water learning that your mother did everything just to give your
needs. Posey is a replica of a mother who showered you with unconditional love without
asking anything in return. .

Mitch Albom achieved his goal of showing the readers how bad it feels to have divorced
parents. Chick always seeks his father’s love. He always follows him even if it’s against
his will. He also made the readers relate with the book when he included the times he did
not stood up for his mother and the number of times his mother stood up for him. It’s like
reading your own story because we really have the days where are mothers are our own
savior. And there are many days where we became devilish children who gave headaches
to our mothers.

I recommend this book to everyone especially the youth. You can find lessons that are
already seen by your own eyes but not yet felt by your hearts. It would make you
appreciate your mothers more, maybe not after reading the book but it will surely stick to
you when you already have your own family and your children are already giving you
headaches.

Two thumbs up again to Mr. Mitch Albom.