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Mitch Albom - The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Audio Reading)

Mitch Albom・45 minutes read

Eddie dies at Ruby Pier after an accident on a ride, reflecting on his life's moments and interactions with others in heaven as he learns valuable lessons about interconnectedness and purpose.

Insights

  • Eddie's life at Ruby Pier was filled with routine, interactions with children, acts of generosity, and reflections on love and loss, showcasing his multifaceted character and the impact he had on those around him.
  • Through a series of interconnected events and encounters in heaven, Eddie gains a deeper understanding of his life's purpose, finding solace in the shared experiences and interconnectedness with others like the Blue Man, Joseph Kovacic, highlighting the transformative power of reflection and connection in the afterlife.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Eddie in the story?

    Eddie is an old maintenance worker.

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Summary

00:00

"Ruby Pier: Eddie's Lasting Legacy"

  • The story is about a man named Eddie who dies at Ruby Pier, an amusement park, in an accident on Freddie's Freefall ride.
  • Eddie is described as a squat, white-haired old man with a faded army tattoo, arthritis, and a cane, who works as a maintenance man at the park.
  • Eddie's routine involves checking on the park's attractions daily, ensuring their safety and maintenance.
  • It's Eddie's 83rd birthday, and he is diagnosed with shingles, reflecting on his past strength and the changes in his life.
  • Eddie interacts with children at the park, who trust and enjoy his company, especially on coaster day when he rides with them.
  • A story is shared about Eddie's past bravery in defending his brother in a fight, showcasing his protective nature.
  • Eddie's colleague Dominguez mentions his upcoming trip to Mexico, prompting Eddie to gift him money for his wife, showing Eddie's generosity.
  • Eddie spends his last moments reminiscing about his true love, Marguerite, whom he met at the pier, and the impact she had on his life.
  • Another story intertwines with Eddie's as a young man named Nicky loses his car key at the park, setting off a chain of events.
  • As Eddie nears his death, he interacts with a young girl named Amy, creating a pipe cleaner animal for her, reflecting on life's simple joys.

17:58

Eddie's Final Moments: A Hero's Redemption

  • Eddie had lost many loved ones, some dying young and others growing old before passing away.
  • At Eddie's final moments on earth, he witnessed a terrifying incident at Ruby Pier involving a malfunctioning ride.
  • Eddie, despite his physical limitations, took charge and directed Dominguez to rescue the people stuck on the ride.
  • The malfunction was caused by a car key wedged in the mechanism, leading to the cable snapping and the cart dropping.
  • Despite Eddie's efforts, the cart dropped with a little girl inside, and he made a split-second decision to save her.
  • In his final moments, Eddie experienced a sense of calm and detachment, devoid of worry or pain.
  • Eddie's life flashed before his eyes, from his childhood birthday at Ruby Pier to his final moments at the amusement park.
  • Upon awakening in a teacup at a transformed Ruby Pier, Eddie felt rejuvenated and pain-free, experiencing a sense of wonder.
  • The new Ruby Pier resembled the one from Eddie's childhood, evoking memories of the past and a sense of nostalgia.
  • Eddie's voice was lost, but he felt incredible physically, free from the pain and limitations he had endured for years.

36:46

"Blue Man's Sideshow Journey Inspires Eddie"

  • Eddie, an old maintenance worker, surprises himself by running along the boardwalk, reminiscing about his youth.
  • He passes by various attractions like a bait and tackle stand, a carousel, and a sideshow theater.
  • Eddie encounters a sideshow theater, the "World's Most Curious Citizens," where he meets a blue-skinned man named Joseph Kovacic.
  • Joseph, also known as the Blue Man, explains his life story to Eddie, revealing his struggles and how he ended up in the sideshow.
  • Joseph shares how he turned blue due to ingesting silver nitrate, leading to his sideshow career.
  • Eddie learns about Joseph's journey from a Polish immigrant to a sideshow performer, finding solace in his unique identity.
  • Joseph describes his life in the sideshow, taking pride in being considered the best freak in the stable.
  • Eddie listens intently as Joseph recounts his experiences, shedding light on the hardships faced by sideshow performers.
  • Joseph's story resonates with Eddie, who begins to understand the interconnectedness of their lives and the purpose of their meeting in heaven.
  • Eddie's perception of heaven shifts as he realizes that understanding one's life on Earth is the true gift of the afterlife, guided by the five people he meets in heaven.

55:44

Close Calls and Birthday Blues

  • Eddie, a young boy, receives a baseball for his birthday and while playing with it, he chases after it into the street, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car. The game ends, and the children head to an arcade to play with a claw-like digger machine.
  • From a different perspective, a man borrowing a Ford Model A to practice driving encounters the same situation. He swerves to avoid hitting Eddie, causing a chain of events that lead to a fatal heart attack for the man.
  • Eddie, on his birthday, feels disappointed as he is unable to show his friends a truck he had been building due to having to attend a somber event. He mournfully counts numbers, hoping to somehow regain his lost birthday.
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