Being Mortal - Atul Gawande
Being Mortal shares real-life stories of people who are very old or near the end of their lives. Each story makes you feel thankful, even for something as basic as clean drinking water. Have we ever thought about the people in old age homes who depend completely on others for daily help? Or those who are stuck in bed for the rest of their lives? What about the pain their families go through every single day? While we work hard to become independent, the truth is, all of us depend on someone at some point—maybe now, maybe later.
Being dependent is not something to feel bad about. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s a beautiful thing to help someone in need. Atul Gawande, the author, clearly explains how healthcare affects older people and those who are dying. They don’t always need strong medicines or treatments. What they really want is a meaningful and peaceful life, even in their last days. But sometimes, too much medical care leaves them alone, in a room, away from family and love.
"Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life to the very end." Medicines may keep people alive longer—but are they really living well? That’s something we need to think about. In the end, what matters most is love, care, and spending time with people who make life feel full.
Personal Reflection
Even I spend time on my phone when my grandmother talks, and I’m not always mindful of her words. I often look for chances to walk away or spend time with my friends. But Being Mortal made me think deeply. It’s not just a book with lessons—it’s an experience that shows what it truly means to give someone a good life.
There are elderly people who live all alone, sometimes even in our own homes. All they need is a little time, a little care. Spending a few minutes with them, talking to them, or just sitting by their side can bring them comfort and happiness. As Pope Francis said, “We are all here to help each other, no matter how difficult it is. Life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.”
We don’t know when we might end up in assisted living or need help ourselves. So let’s be thankful for the life we have now. Let’s be kind to the people around us. Let’s not see them as a burden. Medicines may heal someone’s body, but our love, presence, and time can help give them a good life.
“We think our job is to ensure health and survival. But really it is to enable well-being.”
