Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Mitch Albom explores the connections between people in The Five People You Meet in Heaven. In this coming-of-age novel, the protagonist Eddie experienced many hardships, however he was able to keep his humanity through it all. This book by Mitch Albom perfectly describes how relationships, sacrifice, and protection were all important in Eddie’s life.

In just one moment, Eddie was unknowingly able to alter the life of another being. The name of this individual was Joseph Corvelzchik, otherwise known as the blue man. Previously having worked with the blue man, Eddie’s father was a maintenance man at Ruby Pier. Being an innocent child at the time, Eddie had chased after a ball into the street. Although he was not aware, this act caused the blue man to swerve his car, missing the little boy, but wrecking his car; resulting in a strong impact on his already weak heart. A heart attack killed the blue man that morning. This brief moment in Eddie’s life irrevocably affected the life of someone he had only met once, of whom he had not even been aware. The blue man states,

It was a destination that demanded constant protection and constant awareness. Eddie, being a maintenance man, worked to ensure that not only were the rides safe, but the kids were as well. He had lived for protecting. He wanted to protect his wife from her brain tumor by doing every supportive task available. Even in his old age, Eddie was determined to protect the precious parts of life. At the pier, one of the rides malfunctioned leading to a big collision involving the ground and a cart from Freddy’s Free Fall ride. In between the ground and the cart stood a little girl. Eddie, at just the right moment, pushed the child out of the way saving her life while simultaneously ending his. Although Eddie found his life worthless, he failed to see everyone he had protected, and what would have happened if he were not